I  11/ 


1    w  .< 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 

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JlNlVbHbl  I  Y  Oh  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


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THE 


Ten  Hoods,  or  Life, 


FROM 


THE  CRADLE  TO  THE  THRONE, 


?OR 


THE  YOUNG  AND  THE  OLD. 


BY 


Rev.  L.  McWHERTER,  A.  M. 

Author  of  "  The  Three  Kingdoms"  and 
"  The  King  of  Glory." 


THE   SOUTHWESTERN   COMPANY, 

PUBLISHERS  AND   MANUFACTURERS, 
NASHVILLE,  TENNESSEE, 

1912. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1887^ 

By  L.  McWHERTER, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


(H) 


TO 

Lizzie  Lee  and  Leta, 

My  Dear  and  Affectionate  Daughters, 

is  this  volume  for  youth 

and  years, 

tovingly  and  hopefully  dedicated 

BY 

A  DEVOTED  FATHER. 


teife  iA  nofcfe,  or  ignoSFe, 

•K&  tRc  ^earA  go   roffiija'  rotnjb  t 

bet  it  6c  coftaf  (SjoiL  aoou?c|  ^cwe  it, 
SfonQ  tfie  crailfe  to  tft.e  crooon. 


M 


\ 


letZt^u* 


fc 


R  EPACE, 


ZN    offering    this    volume    to    the    public    we    are 
actuated  by  a  desire  to  assist  all  who  peruse  its 
pages  in  attaining  to  higher  and  holier  lives. 

It  has  been  our  purpose  to  paint  the  pictures  of  life, 
according  to  our  ideal,  just  as  they  ought  to  appear,  in 
the  varied  phases  and  relationships  from  infancy  to 
old  age. 

If  we  shall  succeed  in  pleasing  the  old,  encouraging 
the  middle-aged,  and  influencing  our  young  readers  to 
make  this  model  life  their  own,  as  they  pass  through 
its  different  stages,  we  shall  have  accomplished  our 
purpose  and  compassed  our  mpst  ardent  desire. 
Most  fraternally, 

L.  McWHERTER. 


<b 


NTENTS 


CHAPTER.  PAGE. 

I.  Baby-hood,  .......       7 

II.  Childhood,      .         .         .         .         .         .  21 

III.  Girlhood,    .         .  .         .         .         .42 

IV.  Boyhood,  .*....         67 
V.  Woman-hood,       .....         .     92 

VI.  Manhood,         .         .         ,         .         .         .136 

VII.  Mother-hood,      .         .         .         .         ,         .  179 

VIII.  Father-hood, 203 

.    IX.  Grandmother-hood, 225 

v  X.  Grandfather-hood,  .         .         .         .241 


(vi) 


BABY-HOOD. 


Chapter  I 


The  baby  neat,  so  very  sweet, 

Be  it  a  girl  or  boy ; 
All  who  meet  are  sure  to  greet, 

And  wish  a  life  of  joy. 


ABY-HOOD  is  life  in  the  bud.  It 
is  hope  in  the  arms  ;  it  is  love 
on  the  bosom  ;  it  is  joy  in  the 
cradle ;  it  is  light  in  the  home ; 
it  is  perfection  in  heaven. 

Baby-hood  is  life's  golden  sun- 
rise, beaming  beautiful  and  bright 
upon  the  world.  It  is  the  bright, 
brief  morn  of  an  ever-lengthening 
day.  It  may  be  a  day  full  of  happiness  and  heaven,  or 
a  day  doomed  to  darkness  and  to  death.  It  is  the  open- 
ing hours  of  an  endless  life.  It  may  be  a  life  great  in 
its  possibilities,  grand  in  its  achievements,  and  glorious 
in  its  destiny;  or  it  may  be  an  existence  blighted  in  the 
bud,  blasted  in  the  bloom  and  panoplied  with  the  dark- 
ness of  endless  death. 

Babies    are    the    sweetest    beings    on    earth.      They 
are   angels  in  disguise  ;   they  are  the  sunshine  and  sov- 


8  TWIN   BABIES. 

ereigns  of  every  home  they  enter ;  they  are  the  joy 
of  every  model  mother's  heart,  and  the  pride  of  every 
fond  father's  life.  The  sweet,  bonny  babe  is  the  idol 
of  the  household. 

Babies  are  also  beautiful  beings.  They  are  always 
objects  of  special  interest  and  attraction.  They  are 
perfect  little  cherubs  of  beauty.  The  silver  clouds, 
the  sapphire  skies,  and  the  starry  canopy  over  our 
heads  are  all  beautiful,  but  none  of  them  are  compar 
able  to  buoyant,  bewitching,  beautiful  baby-hood. 

Babies  are  innocent  creatures.  We  are  naturally 
wont  to  regard  them  as  pure  and  spotless  beings.  To 
those  of  us  who  are  parents  the  air  above .  our  heads 
is  not  purer,  the  flowers  beneath  our  feet  are  not 
sweeter,  and  the  little  lambs  playing  sportively  upon 
the  lawn,  are  not  more  innocent  than  these  darling 
babes  of  ours.  Here  lie  two  little  twins  as  artless  and 
innocent  as  ever  smiled  in  a  mother's  face  or  gladdened 
a  father's  heart.  They  look  like  two  little  wingless 
cherubs.  Nothing  can  be  more  beautiful,  lovely,  or  at- 
tractive than  these  two  sweet,  innocent  little  twin  ba- 
bies. They  exhibit  life  in  its  artless  innocence  and 
matchless  purity. 

Babies  are  among  heaven's  best  gifts  .to  earth. 
The  beneficent  hands  of  Deity  place  these  lovely  lit- 
tle ones  in  parental  arms  as  perennial  blessings.  The 
race  has  always  been  blessed  with  the  presence  and  in- 
fluence of  innocent  infancy. 

Babies  are  the  most  helpless  beings  in  the  world. 
They  are  wholly  dependent  on  others  for  the  neces- 
sities of  life.  Their  every  want  must  be  anticipated 
by  other  heads  and  supplied  by  other  hands  than  their 


BABYHOOD. 

(See  page  8.) 


DELICATE    DARLINGS;  9 

own.  Look,  for  a  moment,  upon  the  helpless  form  of  a 
feeble  infant,  forsaken  by  a  faithless  or  fiendish  mother, 
and  then  think  of  the  powers,  and  possibilities  lying  dor- 
mant in  that  dependent  babe.  But  only  let  its  lease  on 
life  extend  through  time,  and  stretch  across  boundless 
eternity,  and  who  can  weigh  the  responsibilities  laid  upon 
parents,  when  these  little  helpless  infants  enter  their 
homes  for  care  and  culture  ? 

Babies  are  the  most  delicate  darlings  on  earth. 
Hence,  they  are  wisely  entrusted  only  to  the  tenderest 
hands  and  most  affectionate  hearts.  They  ought  to  be 
carefully  conducted,  through  feeble  infancy,  out  into  vig- 
orous childhood-life.  The  baby  is  ever  recognized,  by 
the  entire  family  circle,  as  the  tenderest  plant  in  their 
domestic  paradise.  If  this  be  true,  it  should  be  handled, 
and  cultured  with  the  greatest  possible  care.  Into  the 
lap,  of  maternal  love,  this  tender  little  luxury  is  laid,  for 
its  first  lessons  of  life  and  liberty.  Its  little  mind  is  sus- 
ceptible of  the  most  delicate  impressions,  either  for  good 
or  evil;  and  its  loving  heart,  like  wax,  receives  them 
most  readily  ;  but,  marble-like,  holds  them  for  evermore. 
The  first  impressions  made,  upon  the  infant's  mind,  must 
aid  in  molding  its  mission  for  life.  It  is  of  the  highest 
importance  then,  that  these  impressions  be  of  the  purest 
and  holiest  character. 

Babies  are  the  burdens  ol  maternal  hearts.  The 
true  mother  loves  her  babe  most  tenderly.  It  has  her 
last  care,  at  night-fall.  It  is  constantly  in  her  dreams, 
when  she  sleeps ;  and  receives  her  first  thoughts,  as  she 
wakes  to  greet  the  morning  light  of  another  day  of 
watch-care  and  work,  for  her  precious  treasure.  It  is  the 
sum,  and  center  of  her  deepest  solicitude.     Her  anxie- 


IO  BONNY    BABES. 

ties,  her  hopes  and  her  fears,  all,  hover  around  her  deli- 
cate darling  babe.  She  looks,  lovingly,  into  its  little 
face,  and  communes  sweetly  with  it  until  it  answers  her 
maternal  appeals,  with  the  first  smile  of  recognition,  and 
her  fond  heart  beats  with  highest  hopes. 

At  this  period  of  its  life,  if  not  sooner,  the  work 
of  educating  the  baby  begins,  either  for  weal  or  woe. 
And,  mothers  want  to  realize  the  vast  importance  of  this 
work,  which  is  committed  to  their  hands,  when  these 
bonny  babes  are  placed  upon  their  bosoms,  to  be  nursed 
and  nurtured,  for  God.  If  they  could  only  foresee  the 
death,  and  destiny,  of  these  darling  little  ones,  they 
would  know  that  this  wonderful  work  demands  the  wisest 
heads,  and  the  worthiest  hearts  possessed  by  the  best 
women  in  the  world.  And  such  mothers  would  be  far 
from  transferring  these  sacred  trusts  to  unskillful  hands, 
empty  heads  and  unholy  hearts. 

Mothers  may  safely  commit  their  babies'  wardrobes 
to  other  hands ;  but  the  babies  themselves  require 
maternal  care.  A  mother  can  do  nothing  nobler  than 
to  nurse,  and  nurture  her  own  offspring.  The  impress  of 
her  own  sweet  spirit  should  be  stamped,  early,  upon  its 
little  soul.  Infants  are  easily  affected,  even  by  facial  ex- 
pression. They  very  readily,  and  early  distinguish  be- 
tween features  expressive  of  anger  and  love.  And  they 
will  often  unconsciously  imitate  the  features  seen  upon 
faces  with  which  they  are  most  familiar.  Then,  if 
mothers  would  have  their  babies  be  sweet,  and  lovely, 
they  must  exclude  from  the  nursery  every  thing  that  is 
unholy,  or  impure. 

Babies  are  latent  forces.  In  their  young,  and  tender 
lives  lie  hidden  infinite  possibilities.     There  is  skill  in 


BABIES'  BEST  FRIEND. 
(See  page  10.) 


LATENT   FORCES.  II 

those  tiny  fingers,  eloquence  on  those  little  lips,  fire  in 
those  sparkling  eyes,  brains  in  their  soft  heads,  love  in 
their  tender  hearts  and  music  in  their  sensitive  souls. 
They  simply  demand  proper  development,  to  make  them 
great  powers  for  good  in  the  world ;  and  to  qualify  them 
for  happiness  here,  and  heaven  hereafter. 

Babies  are  the  very  embodiment  of  innocence,  in 
the  estimation  of  maternal  hearts.  They  are  as 
guileless  and  guiltless  as  innocence  itself.  But,  the  in- 
nocent infant's  soul  is  soft,  and  easily  impressed  for 
weal  or  woe.  The  little  things  it  sees  and  hears,  while 
in  the  crib  or  cradle,  help  to  mold  its  character  for  time, 
and  shape  its  chances  for  eternity.  Its  little  eye  is  quick 
to  detect  the  meaning  of  a  look.  Its  little  ear  readily 
interprets  the  import  of  the  voice.  And,  its  little  heart 
instantly  perceives  the  significance  of  a  gesture.  Hence, 
nothing  vulgar,  or  vile  should  ever  meet  its  little  eyes. 
Nothing  hasty,  or  harsh  should  ever  greet  its  little  ears. 
No  seed  of  discord,  or  dissension  should  ever  fall  upon  its 
tender  young  heart.  The  apparently  trivial  influences, 
which  contribute  to  the  formation  of  human  character,  can 
not  be  over  estimated  in  their  bearings  upon  infantile  life. 
They  will  endure  through  time,  and  bear  fruit  in  eternity. 
The  impressions  made  upon  human  hearts,  in  infancy, 
last  the  longest,  and  have  most  to  do  with  determining 
the  character,  and  painting  the  fore-ground  of  coming 
years.  We  are  all  largely  indebted  to  the  sacred  influ- 
ences, which  clustered  around  our  cradles,  for  much  of 
the  good  there  may  be  in  our  characters,  and  for  many 
of  the  hallowed  associations,  which  have  thus  far  envi- 
roned our  pathways  through  life. 

The  baby  is  a  student.  It  studies  successfully  the 
2 


1 2  FORECASTING  THE  FUTURE. 

faces,  and  featurs  of  those  who  bend  over  it  from  day  to 
day.  It  readily  recognizes  the  harsh  tones  which  fall,  in 
words  of  disapproval,  upon  its  little  ears.  It  also  knows 
the  sweet,  gentle  voices  which  sing  its  evening  lullabies. 
Every  sentiment,  expressed  by  look  or  word,  is  soon 
properly  interpreted  by  its  young  heart ;  and,  the  effect 
may  be  seen,  and  this  fact  read,  in  miniature,  upon 
its  legible  countenance.  The  mother's  griefs  soon  find 
their  counterpart  in  her  infant's  sighs  ;  and  her  joys  find 
their  response  in  the  baby's  smiles. 

We  look  with  intense  interest,  and  longing  anxi- 
ety, upon  the  darling  little  babe  as  it  lies  nestled 
cosily  in  its  mother's  arms,  or  sweetly  sleeping  in  its 
cosy  crib,  and  fain  would  forecast,  for  it,  a  bright 
and  happy  future.  We  wonder  whether,  or  not,  it  will 
live  to  be  grown ;  and,  if  so,  what  will  be  the  character 
of  its  life,  and  the  shadings  of  its  destiny.  We  would 
give  much  to  lift  the  misty  curtains,  which  mantle  the 
coming  years,  and  trace  the  unopened  leaves  of  its  fu- 
ture history.  But,  a  merciful  providence  has  thrown  an 
impenetrable  vail  over  the  future  of  this  bud  of  promise, 
and  hidden  its  openings,  and  subsequent  developments 
in  a  sealed  volume.  This  is  just  as  it  should  be.  For, 
otherwise  it  might  darken  all  our  promises,  and  blight  all 
our  hopes  of  its  future  greatness.  This  desire  to  wrest 
from  the  sealed  book  of  heaven  its  untold  secrets,  and 
read  the  chronology  of  time,  in  advance  of  its  happen- 
ings, is  all  wrong,  and  tends  only  to  discontent  and  un- 
happiness. 

Parents  do  well,  notwithstanding  the  uncertain- 
ties that  environ  infancy,  to  welcome  the  opening 
life    of    the    new-born    babe,    whom    God    hath    given 


ENVIRONMENTS  OF  INFANCY.  1 3 

them,  to  their  warmest  embraces.  It  is  true,  it  may 
bring  with  it  hours  of  anxiety,  and  weeks  of  watch-care ; 
but,  it  will  also  laden  your  loving  hearts  with  their  cor- 
responding compensations  of  joy  and  gladness.  And, 
should  the  cradle  song  soon  sink  into  the  funeral  dirge, 
still  you  will  find  reasons  for  thanking  God  who  hath 
given,  and  taken  away  the  comfort,  and  consolation  of 
your  hearts  and  lives. 

Babies  are  very  influential  beings.  They  are  not 
born  for  naught.  Neither  do  they  live  in  vain,  though 
they  die  soon.  Like  messengers  of  mercy,  they  bring 
blessings  to  every  home  they  enter.  They  soften  the 
hardest  hearts.  They  subdue  the  most  rebellious  spirits  ; 
and  leave  tenderest  traces  of  love,  upon  the  parental 
soul,  which  draw  it  homeward,  and  heavenward.  When 
babies  come  to  the  homes  of  earth,  they  always  bring 
the  choicest  benedictions  of  heaven  ;  and  while  they  re- 
main, they  ought  to  be  a  source  of  perpetual  blessings 
to  all  by  whom  they  are  surrounded  in  this  life. 

Babies  are  little  limited  monarchs.  They  lie  in  their 
cradles,  helpless  and  harmless,  but  wielding  a  wonder- 
ful power  over  all  around  them.  They  are  puny 
strugglers,  strong  in  their  weakness,  and  irresistible  in 
their  utter  helplessness.  They  are  little  uncrowned 
kings,  and  queens  before  whom  many  hearts  bow  in  lov- 
ing allegiance.  They  wield  their  sceptres  of  influence, 
alike,  over  the  young  and  the  old.  Their  artless  inno- 
cence exerts  a  secret,  but  salient  power  over  all  who  are 
brought  under  its  sacred  influence.  They  present  the 
innocent  phases  of  life,  before  us,  in  their  most  attractive 
forms.  They  enter  life's  large  arena  with  delegated 
powers.     Their   missions   are    those   of   mercy.     They 


14  MINDS   IN    MINIATURE, 

come  to  soften  hard  hearts  and  save  rebellious  souls. 
Their  plaintive  cries  appeal  to  the  fondest  affections  of 
the  maternal  heart.    The  thought  of  her  responsibilities 
exalts  every  faculty  of  the  mother's  soul.     Thus  the  in- 
fant, in  its  silence  and  submission,  teaches  the  mother 
many  of  the  most  important  and  impressive  lessons  of 
life.     It  stirs  up,  within  her  soul,  many  a  slumbering  gift  ; 
uncovers,  in  her  life,  many  a  hidden  grace,  and  discip- 
lines, in  her  activities,  many  wayward  powers  into  ele- 
ments of  strong,  and    vigorous  woman-hood.     It  also 
touches  the  fond    father's    heart,   most   tenderly,  many 
times.     Its  tiny  fingers,  and  feeble  grasp,  are  often  pow- 
erful enough  to  turn  the  strongest  man  from  the  road 
that  leads  to  ruin.     The  baby's  ideal  innocence  is,  to  the 
parents,  the  very  essence  of  magnetic  power.     It  draws 
them  irresistibly  to  the  cradle,    with  hand,   head  and 
heart,  all  devoted  to  its  service.     It  leads  them  to  the 
crimson  cross  of  Christ,  where  they  re-consecrate  their  all 
to  God,  when  the  babe  is  christened.    And,  it  also  points 
them,  successfully,  to  the  Christian's  crown,  where  they 
may  reign  an  unbroken  family,  as  kings  and  queens  for- 
ever, and  for  evermore. 

Babies  are  beings  with  minds  in  miniature.  They  are 
capable  of  wonderful  development,  even,  during  their  in- 
fancy. Their  training  should  begin  at  their  birth.  Par- 
ents should  attach  special  importance,  even,  to  the  hand- 
ling of  infancy.  For,  if  this  be  done  in  a  gentle,  patient 
and  loving  way,  it  will  do  much  to  develop  the  same 
traits  of  character  in  the  growing  minds  of  their  darling 
babies.  The  management  of  the  nursery  has  a  great 
deal  to  do  with  the  formation  of  future  character.  The 
mother  who  leaves  her    cradle,   thoughtlessly,  in    the 


FRESH    AND    FRAGRANT.  1 5 

hands  of  another,  or  rocks  it  herself,  in  anger,  may  live 
to  lament  her  folly,  or  mourn  her  unmotherly  example. 

Babies  are,  often,  what  their  environments  make  them. 
The  cradle  should  be  surrounded  by  the  loveliest,  and 
most  pleasing  scenery.  An  air  of  refinement,  and 
culture,  should  characterize  those  who  roll  its  rockers, 
and  bend  over  its  precious  treasure.  None,  but  gentle, 
loving  words,  should  greet  the  eager  ears  of  its  easily 
influenced  inmate.  None,  but  kind,  benevolent  acts, 
should,  ever,  meet  its  open  eyes.  Then,  the  beautiful 
babe,  like  the  sweet  bud,  would  naturally  expand  into  a 
lovely  flower,  and  be  admired  by  all  who  see  it.  It 
would  also  find  a  home  in  all  hearts ;  and  grow  up  to 
bless  those  it  associates  with  through  life. 

Such  babies  are  the  poetry  of  domestic  life.  They 
are  the  fresh,  and  fragrant  flowers  which  beautify  and 
adorn  our  homes.  They  are  the  priceless  gems  which 
are  treasured  but  to  enrich  our  hearts,  and  make  us  the 
happier.  The  magic  of  their  charms  draw  us  to  them, 
to  bless  and  be  blessed.  Their  artless,  and  endless  at- 
tractions hold  us  with  ever  increasing,  and  enraptured 
delight.  The  beautiful  babe  is  a  beam  of  light,  a  well- 
spring  of  joy,  a  fountain  of  love  whose  gentle  presence 
sweetens  every  spirit,  and  softens  every  heart  in  the 
household.  All  people  open  their  sealed  souls  to  the 
secret,  and  silent  influences  of  the  innocent  infant,  in 
which  they  are  so  intensely  interested. 

Babies  are  the  richest,  and  rarest  treasures  of  the  ma- 
ternal heart.  The  helpless  infant  is  the  devoted  moth- 
er'cj  surest  anchor.  It  holds  her  fast  to  her  moorings, 
rts  cradle  is  the  craft  that  bears  her  heart's  most 
precious  treasure.     In  it  lies  the  light  of  her  home,  and 


l6  CARE  AND  CULTURE. 

the  delight  of  her  soul.  The  mother  should  linger,  as 
much  as  possible,  around  the  cradle  of  the  tiny  creature, 
whose  life-long  interests  depend  largely  upon  the  care, 
and  culture  of  its  early  life.  But,  when  the  baby  is 
quiet,  and  happy  in  its  cosy  nest,  let  it  alone.  Do  not 
disturb  the  little  fellow  when  he  is  cooing,  or  crowing,  in 
one  of  his  merriest  moods.  Too  much  attention  is  worse 
than  too  little ;  it  will  spoil  the  best  of  babies.  The 
lovers  of  little  ones  ought  to  provide  some  way  to  care 
for  the  babies  of  the  extremely  poor  people  and  the  in- 
fant orphans  of  the  dead.  This  would  be  a  wise,  and  a 
long  step  in  the  right  direction. 

Babies  are  lovers  of  song.  The  mother's  low  lullaby 
is  a  music  lesson  to  her  silent  infant.  Singing  mothers 
cultivate,  in  their  offspring,  an  increased  love  for  song. 
They  touch  the  plaintive  chords  of  the  baby's  tender, 
and  responsive  heart,  and  thus  begins  the  work  of  refin- 
ing, and  elevating  the  manners,  and  morals  of  the  men, 
and  women  of  the  world.  A  small  portion  of  preventa- 
tive saves  an  immense  amount  of  cure. 

But,  what  would  the  world  be  without  its  babies  ?  We 
hesitate  to  answer  the  question.  We  fear  to  paint  the 
picture.  The  simple  thought  is  enough  to  harden  every 
heart,  and  sadden  every  soul  of  our  sinning,  and  sorrowing 
race.  The  reality  would  be  infinitely  worse.  It  would 
tear  the  earthly  idols  from  millions  of  fond  hearts.  It 
would  rob  hundreds,  upon  hundreds,  of  households  of 
their  last  golden  sunbeam.  And,  it  would  deprive  the 
world  of  its  best  specimens  of  personal  purity  and  in- 
herent innocence. 

We  are  all  largely  indebted  to  babies.  They  brighten 
our  homes,  and  bless  our  hearts  in  a  thousand  ways. 


FACULTIES    AND    FORCES.  1 7 

They  furnish  constant  incentives  to  nobler  living.  They 
serve  as  perpetual  reminders  of  the  fact,  that  we  do  not 
live  to  ourselves  alone.  Many  hours,  which  would 
otherwise  be  dark  and  dreary,  are  brightened  by  their 
presence.  Their  helplessness,  and  dependence  have 
taught  us  many  lessons  of  faith  and  trust.  They  are 
messengers,  of  peace,  to  all  men.  They  are  well-springs, 
of  pleasure,  to  the  entire  race.  They  are  fountains,  of 
light  and  love,  to  the  lonely,  and  longing  hearts  of  the 
wicked  world. 

When  the  first-born  babe  greets  the  childless  home, 
chords  vibrate  with  love  which,  hitherto,  have  lain  dor- 
mant in  the  soul.  Two  hearts  are  drawn  closer  to- 
gether, and  the  latent  faculties,  or  forces,  of  parental 
affection  are  at  once  developed  into  the  most  active 
powers.  Baby  is  now  the  center  of  attraction.  Life 
has  a  deeper,  and  grander  significance  than  ever  before. 
Both  father  and  mother  have  a  new  object  for  which  to 
live  and  labor ;  and  life  becomes,  more  and  more,  a  living 
reality  every  time  a  babe  is  born  in  their  home. 

But,  babies  sometimes  die.  Some  of  them  seem  to  be 
too  pure,  and  good  for  this  world  to  keep  them  long. 
The  brightest  and  the  best  are  often  taken  first.  The 
buoyant,  bonny  babe  is  sick.  Anxiety  is  pictured  in 
every  countenance,  for  it  rapidly  grows  worse,  and 
worse.  Its  sickness  is  well  nigh  unto  death.  Oh  !  how 
changed  the  happy  scene.  The  merry  glee,  and  ringing 
laughter  of  yesterday  is  turned  into  the  suppressed 
sighs,  and  sobs  of  to-day.  The  soft  silvery  breezes,  so 
lately  ladened  with  joy  and  gladness,  are  now  more  in- 
tensely burdened  with  sorrow  and  sadness.     But,  hush! 


1 8  BABY    IS    DEADo 

Tread  lightly — baby  is  dying  ; 

Ere  long  it  will  be  at  rest ; 
Even  now  its  soul  is  frying 

To  flee  to  the  Saviour's  breast. 

The  breath  comes  fainter — still  fainter— 
The  pulse  seems  scarcely  to  beat ; 

And  death,  the  cold  rigid  painter, 
Stands  waiting  at  baby's  feet. 

Through  the  latticed  windows  shining, 
Steals  the  light  from  evening's  sky, 

And,  against  the  wall  reclining, 
Golden  ladders  seem  to  lie. 

See  !  upon  them  are  descending 

Forms  of  angels,  from  above, 
To  carry,  while  life  is  ending, 

Baby  to  a  God  of  love. 

Now  a  glorious  spirit  hovers 

Just  above  the  infant's  head, 
While  beneath  the  snowy  covers 

Lies  our  darling  baby — dead. 

Yes,  the  baby  is  dead.  The  home  is  desolate. 
Many  hopes  are  blasted,  and  all' hearts  are  bleeding. 
The  hearse  has  come  to  the  hearth-stone,  and  taken 
away  its  precious,  prattling  treasure.  The  darling  little 
baby  has  gone  from  the  city  to  the  cemetery.  All  hearts 
are  heavy.  The  mother  feels,  now,  like  she  had  never 
felt  the  pangs  of  sorrow  before.  This  is  one  of  the 
darkest  shades — one  of  the  deepest  shadows — one  of 
the  midnight  scenes  of  parental  love. 


BABY  IS  DEAD. 

Now  a  glorious  spirit  hovers 
Just  above  the  infant's  head. 

While  beneath  the  snowy  coven 

Lies  our  darling  baby— dead, 

(See  page  18.) 


WHERE    IS    BABY    GONE?  1 9 

But,  the  parental  heart  inquires,  where  has  my  dar- 
ling baby  gone  ?  Shall  I  ever  meet  and  greet  it  in  love 
again  ?  I  know  its  precious  little  body  lies  in  the  cold, 
damp  ground.  But,  where,  Oh  where,  has  its  sweet, 
young  spirit  flown  ?  We  answer,  to  the  spirit-land — to 
the  better  world,  Baby  has  gone  to  heaven.  He  is 
being  rocked  to-night  in  angels'  arms ;  or  is  resting  to- 
day on  the  Saviour's  breast. 

Yes,  fond  parents,  you  may  meet,  and  greet  your 
darling  babe  again  in  the  glory  land.  It  can  not  return 
to  you  ;  but  you  can  go  to  it.  This  thought  ought  to 
bring  with  it  the  deepest  and  richest  seasons  of  grace. 
Its  death  is  a  silver  chord  drawing  your  fond,  and  affec- 
tionate hearts  to  a  higher,  and  holier  life — a  golden 
chain  binding  your  sad,  and  silent  souls  closer  than  ever 
to  the  heaven  of  heavens.  Words  will  not  mitigate 
that  mother's  sorrow  whose  home,  and  heart  death  hath 
made  desolate,  by  taking  from  her  maternal  arms  a 
darling  babe.  But  she,  who  has  loved,  and  lost  a  little 
one,  feels  that  she  has  a  baby  still  in  yonder  world. 
She  can  only,  and  must  ever,  think  of  it  as  her  angel 
baby.  She  will  always  speak  of  it  as  her  infant  angel. 
She  will  ever  dream  of  it  as  her  sainted  little  cherub. 

But,  will  our  babies,  dying  in  infancy,  be  babies  still 
in  heaven?  Do  infants  grow  between  death  and  the 
resurrection?  Or,  do  they  remain  babies  throughout 
eternity  ?  These,  and  many  other  similar  questions 
naturally  suggest  themselves  to  the  inquiring  minds  of 
anxious  mothers,  whose  hearts  long  to  take  their  darling 
babes  to  their  beating  bosoms  again,  as  of  yore,  when 
they  meet  them  in  the  glory  world.  We  can  not  answer 
these  inquiries  definitely  ;  but  it  seems  altogether  prob- 


20  IMMORTAL    INFANCY. 

able  that  heaven  will  always  have  its  little  winged 
cherubs.  Such  a  sainted  family,  existing  without  babies, 
is  a  thing  barely  possible,  and  much  less  probable,  or 
desirable,  looking  at  it  from  a  human  stand-point. 
Again,  if  babies  are  such  a  blessing  on  earth,  would  it 
not  be  well  enough  to  have  some  of  them  remain  in 
immortal  infancy  in  heaven  ?  We  think  it  would  be 
very  wise  to  do  so  ;  and,  hence,  hope  to  meet,  and  greet 
our  little,  loved  ones,  as  such,  in  the  home  of  homes — 
in  heaven. 


CHILDHOOD. 


Chapter  II. 


The  cheerful  child,  with  a  loving  smile, 
Will  win  a  fart  of  every  heart. 


HILDHOOD  is  life  lingering  in 
the  maternal  lap.  It  is  life  lean- 
ing on  the  mother's  knee,  or 
playing  round  the  mother's  chair. 
It  is  life  full  of  fun,  faith  and 
fervor.  It  is  life  freighted  with 
truth,  trust  and  trials.  It  is  life 
overflowing  with  joy  and  glad- 
ness, in  its  happier  moods.  And. 
its  merry  moments  ever  sparkle  like  golden  sunbeams 
dancing  on  the  silvery  sea  of  time. 

A  happy,  harmonious  childhood-life  is  a  rich,  and 
rare  heritage  for  all  the  years  that  follow.  Its  precious 
moments  weave  into  memory's  chain  of  charms,  threads 
of  silver  and  cords  of  gold.  The  sacred  ties,  thus 
formed,  reach  from  home  to  heaven  ;  and  ministering 
angels  come  and  go  upon  them,  throughout  the  long 
journey  of  life.       The  happy,  holy  hours  of  childhood 

(21) 


22  CHILDHOOD  S    HOLY    HOURS. 

store  away,  in  the  secret  chambers  of  the  soul,  sacred 
sunshine  which  brightens  life's  darkest  days,  even  down 
to  its  last  setting  sun.  And  here  hope  fortifies  itself, 
behind  the  rich  treasures  of  the  past,  and  feasts  bounti- 
fully upon  the  fulness  of  the  future. 

Childhood's  recollections  are  never  entirely  erased 
from  the  sacred  records  of  memory's  first  pages.  Such 
records,  then,  ought  to  be  well  calculated  to  make  their 
hearts  happier,  and  their  lives  holier,  when  they  review 
them  in  after  days.  For,  the  lingering  glow  and  glad- 
ness of  former  years  should  always  touch,  with  tender- 
ness, the  hardest  lines  of  our  after-life.  The  importance 
of  these  early  impressions  are  not  easily  over-estimated. 
For,  the  silvery  mists  may  melt  away,  before  the  early 
morning  sunshine,  but  memory's  misty  pages,  of  the 
past,  will  linger  in  the  lap  of  age  till  the  golden  sun  of 
life's  longest  day  sinks,  in  silence,  behind  the  crimson 
glories  of  its  western  horizon. 

Childhood's  holy  hours,  then,  are  not  only  the  hap- 
piest ;  but  they  also  constitute  the  most  critical  period  in 
life's  history.  At  this  tender  age,  children  are  most 
susceptible  to  all  kinds  of  impressions.  They  are 
easily  drawn  toward  the  true  and  the  good ;  and  just  as 
readily  yield  to  the  false  and  the  foul.  If  we  would 
make  them  wiser  and  better,  we  must  adapt  our  dis- 
cipline to  their  dispositions  and  desires,  as  much  as  the 
circumstances  will  allow.  Never  leave  them  to  feel,  that 
you  have  cruelly  crossed  their  line  of  conduct,  with  the 
correcting  rod.  But,  let  them  ever  look  back  upon  their 
childhood  home,  as  a  place  where  righteousness  reigned 
for  their  own  personal  good.  The  child's  training 
should  not  be,  too  much,  in  the  direction  of  restraint. 


LITTLE  MISCHIEF. 


EXAMPLE    VERSUS    PRECEPT. 


23 


It  ought  to  have  its  share  of  license  and  liberty.  Do 
not  sacrifice  the  child  for  everybody  else,  and  make  it 
feel  that  you  are  a  sovereign,  and  it  a  servant  in  the 
household. 

Children  are  much  more  effectually  induced  to  do 
right,  by  worthy  examples  and  beautiful  stories  of  right- 
doing,  than  they  are  when  threatened  with  punishment, 
in  case  of  disobedience,  or  harrassed  with  tales  of  crime, 
and  their  fearful  consequences.  We  may  lead  the  little 
fellows  on  gently,  step  by  step,  with  the  tender,  patient 
hand  of  hope,  until  they  stand  firmly  upon  the  rock  of 
self-confidence,  ready  to  defy  successfully  the  storms  of 
life,  and  the  tempests  of  time  ;  but,  we  can  never  drive 
them  to  the  shelter  of  our  own  Rock  of  Refuge.  They 
must  seek  this  shelter  of  their  own  choice,  without  the 
shadow  of  coercion  upon  our  part. 

Children,  as  a  rule,  are  most  successfully  governed  by 
love.  The  law  of  love  is  the  greatest,  and  grandest 
law  of  life.  It  is  the  Gospel's  crowning  grace.  It  is 
the  very  embodiment  of  all  other  Christian  graces. 
Forbearance  is  love  on  trial.  Peace  is  love  in  repose. 
Hope  is  love  in  anticipation.  Faith  is  love  in  confidence. 
Joy  is  love  in  exultation.  Goodness  is  love  handed 
down  to  others.  Brotherly  kindness  is  love  passed 
around  to  all.  And,  charity  is  love  scattered  everywhere, 
by  a  liberal  hand  and  a  loving  heart.  Most  children 
are  easily  won,  and  controlled  by  those  who  have  affec- 
tionate hearts.  If  we  love  them,  they  are  almost  sure  to 
love  us  in  return.  If  we  are  kind  and  obliging  to  them, 
they  will  soon  show  their  appreciation,  in  little  acts  of 
kindness,  and  by  some  sort  of  expressions  of  devotion, 
to  us.     If  we  would  govern  the  little  child  by  love,  we 


24  CULTURED    CAREFULLY. 

must  first  win  a  place  in  its  little  heart ;  and,  then,  it 
will  jusi  its  readily  yield  to  our  wishes,  as  does  the  aspen 
leaf  to  the  gentle  zephyrs  of  autumn.  Wherever  this 
We  reigns  without  a  rival,  there  the  spirit  of  peace 
folds  its  white  wings,  and  the  demon  of  discord  is  a 
stranger  in  that  home.  Parents  should  always  manifest 
the  love  they  bear  their  children. 

Children  are  naturally  impatient  creatures.  Their 
little  hearts  are  very  sensitive,  and  should  be  dealt  with 
considerately.  Their  young,  and  tender  lives  are  rich 
with  possibilities,  and  should  be  cultured  carefully. 
They  naturally  hecome  fretful,  if  their  wants  are  not 
speedily  supplied  ;  or  soon  grow  impatient,  if  promises 
made  to  them  are  not  promptly  redeemed.  Therefore, 
we  should  not  tax  their  patience,  too  severely,  at  first ; 
but  gradually  cultivate  this  grace,  little  by  little,  until 
they  will  not  worry,  and  fret  over  slight  disappointments, 
or  even  the  sorer  trials  of  life. 

Children  remain  minors  a  long  time,  in  their  own 
estimation.  Childhood's  years  sail  by  on  weary  wings. 
They  are  numbered  very  slowly  indeed.  It  seems 
almost  an  age,  from  one  Christmas  to  another.  Years, 
of  deferred  hope,  follow  each  other,  at  so  great  a 
distance,  that  it  seems,  to  them,  like  they  never  will 
become  men  and  women.  But  surely,  though  slowly, 
time  wings  its  way  past ;  and  finally  they  are  children 
no  longer.  Children  are  now,  perchance,  spending  their 
happiest  days  on  earth ;  but,  they  will  not  believe  it, 
until  left  in  after  years  to  sigh  over  the  loss  of  vanished 
good  ;  or,  to  repine  over  the  receding  of  vain,  and 
visionary  hopes. 
The  management,  and  training  of  children  is  a  matter 


MANAGEMENT    OF    CHILDREN.  25 

of  paramount  importance.  And,  we  doubt  whether,  or 
not,  the  more  modern  methods  of  management  will  ever 
surpass,  in  point  of  success,  the  old-fashioned  discipline 
of  other  days.  It  is  quite  as  essential  for  parents  to 
know  when  to  withhold,  as  when  to  bestow  favors  upon 
their  children.  It  is  equally  important  that  they  restrain, 
and  encourage,  when  the  circumstances  justify.  And  to 
reprimand  is  just  as  commendable,  when  done  at  the 
proper  time,  and  in  the  proper  spirit,  as  to  praise  our 
offspring,  when  they  deserve  it  at  our  hands.  There  is 
much  mistaken  kindness,  in  the  management  of  children. 
The  law  of  love  is  seen,  in  their  discipline,  in  its  greatest 
results,  only  when  judiciously  united  with  the  correcting 
rod.  Love  alone  may  control,  successfully,  the  tender, 
and  timid  among  them  ;  but,  it  must  be  accompanied  by 
the  rod,  if  we  would  master  the  rude,  and  reckless  of 
their  number. 

Filial  obedience  should  be  taught  to  children  at  a  very 
early  age.  In  fact,  the  idea,  of  resisting  parental  au- 
thority, should  never  be  allowed  to  enter  their  little 
minds  ;  much  less,  to  find  lodgment  in  their  little,  re- 
bellious hearts.  The  equality  of  parental  authority 
should  be  recognized  by  the  entire  household  ;  and 
children  should  be  forced,  if  necessary,  to  acknowledge 
the  sovereignty  of  both  parents.  They  should  never  be 
allowed  to  appeal  from  the  decision  of  one,  to  the 
judgment  of  the  other.  Much  less,  should  they  be 
referred  by  one,  to  the  other,  either  for  a  confirmation, 
or  reversal  of  judgment  already  pronounced.  Nor 
should  parents  be  too  hasty,  in  refusing  their  children's 
requests.  If  there  be  any  doubt,  in  your  mind,  as  to 
what  your  decision  should  be,  in   any   particular  case, 


26  FILIAL    OBEDIENCE    NOT    FORCED. 

give  them  the  benefit  of  the  doubt ;  and  let  them  plead 
their  own  cause.  And,  always,  when  a  plea  is  allowed, 
let  them  feel  that  they  have  had  a  fair  hearing,  before 
rendering  an  adverse  verdict.  But,  when  once  rendered, 
let  them  know  that  it  is  inexorable  ;  and,  like  the  laws 
of  the  Medes  and  Persians,  changes  not,  and  changes 
never. 

Children  should  be  governed,  so  far  as  possible,  in  a 
way  that  will  make  them  feel  that  filial  obedience  is  not 
forced,  but  voluntary  on  their  part.  To  do  this,  you 
will  have  to  give  them  credit  for  all  good  conduct,  and 
never  attribute  to  mere  negligence,  or  forgetfulness,  a 
spirit  of  willful,  or  flagrant  disobedience.  In  other  words, 
never  magnify  a  trifling  fault  into  a  grave,  and  deliberate 
offense.  Always  be  very  slow  to  attribute  wrong  motives 
to  their  actions.  Give  them  the  benefits  of  all  reason- 
able doubts,  before  passing  adverse  judgment  on  their 
conduct.  Always  leave,  on  their  minds,  the  impression 
that  you  expect  nothing  short  of  perfect  obedience  from 
them,  and  it  will  go  a  long  ways  toward  securing  the 
same.  Your  children  like  to  have  you  place  confidence 
in  them.  Trust  them  most  implicitly,  and  you  will  find 
them  among  the  last  to  betray  your  trust,  or  forfeit  your 
confidence. 

Praise  is  another  element  essential  to  the  successful 
government  of  children.  Parents  should  often  praise 
their  offspring.  It  will  do  them  great  good.  It  will 
stimulate  them  to  renewed  activity.  And  it  will  pre- 
pare them  to  make  more,  and  greater  sacrifices  for 
father  and  mother.  Praise,  from  the  parents,  is  sun- 
shine to  their  souls.  They  love  it,  need  it  and  must 
have  it.     Their  natures  demand  it;   and  they  can   not 


REPROOF    IS    NECESSARY.  2J 

live  without  its  gracious  influences  upon  their  lives. 
Hence,  if  the  words  of  commendation,  due  them,  do 
not  fall,  from  parental  lips,  they  will  be  eagerly  sought 
as  eulogies  from  the  lips  of  designing  flatterers,  who 
praise  but  to  make  pliant  to  their  own  corrupt  wills 
and  wishes.  Children  hunger  for  praise;  and  must 
receive  it,  or  else  they  are  left,  like  the  sensitive  plant, 
to  wither  and  waste  away  under  the  stinging  sense  of 
heartless  injustice,  judicious  commendation  is  one  of 
the  absolute  necessities,  in  the  successful  government 
of  children.  But  while  this  is  true,  remember  that  in- 
discriminate flattery  will  soon  lead  to  vanity ;  and  that 
vanity,  ere  long,  will  ruin  the  best  of  children.  Be 
guarded,  and  judicious,  then,  in  your  compliments  on 
the  conduct  of  your  offspring. 

Reproof  is  also  necessary  to  the  successful  govern- 
ment of  children.  They  must  be  reproved,  if  properly 
controlled.  But  these  reproofs  should,  always,  be  ad- 
ministered, in  the  mildest  manner  of  which  the  circum- 
stances will  admit.  They  should  never  come,  as  they 
often  do,  like  a  violent  storm,  or  a  relentless  hurricane 
bending,  breaking  and  crushing  their  young  hearts,  and 
withering  their  fondest  hopes.  But,  let  them  fall  like 
the  morning  dew,  or  melting  snow-flakes,  softly,  upon 
the  soul.  And  the  softer  they  settle  down,  the  deeper 
they  will  sink,  and  the  longer  they  will  hold  in,  willing, 
subjection  the  subdued  heart,  and  chastened  spirit  of 
the  conquered  child.  Let  all  your  reproofs  be  as  pri- 
vate as  possible.  Never  administer  them  in  public,  or 
before  strangers,  if  it  can  well  be  avoided.  Such  a 
course  is  hazardous,  to  say  the  least  of  it.  There  is 
danger  of  doing  more  harm  than   good.     Children    are 


28  THE    LAW    OF    LOVE. 

generally  very  sensitive,  under  such  circumstances. 
And  it  would  in  all  probability  soil  their  self-respect, 
wound  their  feelings  and  beget  within  them  a  revenge- 
ful spirit  that  time  itself  might  fail  to  subdue. 

Confidence  is  still  another  essential,  to  successful 
parental  government.  Children  can  not  bear  the  idea 
oi  being  mistrusted,  when  innocent  and  honest.  It 
crushes  the  very  life-blood  out  of  their  tender  young 
hearts.  Love  is  the  law  that  restrains  the  evil  tenden- 
cies of  childhood.  And,  confidence,  to  the  child,  is 
one  of  the  best  evidences  of  parental  affection.  Never 
give  your  children  reasons  to  doubt  your  confidence  in 
them,  if  you  would  rule  them  with  the  mild  sceptre  of 
parental  love.  Nothing  begets  love  and  obedience,  in 
the  child,  more  readily,  and  effectually  than  unshaken 
confidence,  and  unhesitating  trust  upon  the  part  of 
parents.  Let  your  children  know  that  you  expect  them 
to  do  right ;  let  them  feel  that  they  have  your  un- 
bounded confidence,  in  every  promise  they  make  you, 
and  disobedience  will  be  of  rare  occurrence.  Expect 
them  to  be  obedient,  and  they  will  seldom,  if  ever,  dis- 
appoint you.  My  parents  could  not  believe  that  I 
would  be  guilty  of  such  conduct  as  this  which  I  am  con- 
templating. They  expect  better  things  than  this  of 
me.  Here  is  a  thought  which  has  prevented  many  a 
child  from  taking  the  first  step  in  the  ways  of  vice, 
which  lead  so  many  youths  to  death  and  destruction. 

Liberty  is  also  an  essential  element  in  successful 
parental  government.  Give  the  little  fellows  a  liberal 
share  of  the  liberties  enjoyed  by  the  family.  Do  not 
infringe  upon  their  inalienable  rights,  and  they  will 
soon  exhibit  strong  proofs    of   their   fidelity  and    love. 


FAVORITE    CONFIDENTS.  29 

Liberty  is  necessary  to  their  health  and  happiness,  as 
well  as  to  that  home-loving  spirit  which  ought  to  char- 
acterize all  children.  Give  them  more  freedom,  that 
they  may  expand  all  the  faculties,  and  enlarge  all  the 
functions  of  their  being,  and  they  will  make  wiser 
women  and  nobler  men.  But,  by  liberty  to  do  right, 
we  do  not  mean  license  to  do  wrong. 

Children  should  not  be  cramped,  and  cowed  down 
by  filial  fear.  Do  not  kick,  and  cuff  them  into  the  cor- 
ners of  your  cabins.  But  give  them  elbow-room,  and 
let  the  little  fellows  rip,  and  romp  all  over  the  house  and 
yard,  if  they  wish.  Let  them  whoop  and  hollow,  until 
they  are  hoarse,  if  they  enjoy  it.  Give  them  rein 
enough  to  meet  the  demands  of  their  buoyant  spirits 
and  happy  hearts.  Never  forget  that  they  are  children, 
and  hence  brimful  of  fun  and  frolic.  It  is  easy  to  tem- 
per steel ;  but  difficult  to  train  the  restless  spirit  of 
childhood.  But  without  the  sunny  faces,  and  musical 
voices  of  these  rosy  lads  and  lasses  our  happiest  homes 
would  be  robbed  of  their  richest  treasures  and  most 
delightful  charms.  For  childless  homes  are  like  flower- 
less  gardens,  or  fruitless  vineyards. 

Children  should  be  taught,  early  in  life,  to  confide 
everything  to  their  parents.  They  should  be  made  to 
feel  that  it  is  their  privilege,  as  well  as  their  duty,  to 
make  father,  and  mother  their  first,  and  favorite  confi- 
dents. For,  this  is  one  of  the  strongest  safe-guards, 
that  parents  can  possibly  throw  around  either  their  sons, 
or  their  daughters.  But,  to  do  this,  you  must  have 
warm  places,  in  your  parental  hearts,  for  your  children. 
You  must  first  make  confidents  of  them.  Tell  them 
some  of  the  secrets  of   your  hearts,  and    the    sorrows 


30  ENCOURAGEMENT. 

of  your  lives ;  and  you  will  be  sure  to  win  their  con- 
fidence, and  enlist  their  sympathy  in  your  behalf.  Man- 
ifest a  heartfelt  interest,  in  all  their  little  joys  and  sor- 
rows, and  they  will  confide  in  you  more,  and  more 
implicitly,  as  the  years  roll  by.  Rather  than  repel 
them,  by  your  apparent  indifference,  you  must  draw 
them  closer  to  you,  day  after  day,  by  the  solicitude,  and 
anxiety  you  exhibit  for  their  well-being  and  happiness, 
both  here  and  hereafter.  Never  let  them  know  that 
you  have  secrets,  of  your  own,  to  be  kept  from  them; 
for,  if  so,  they  will  soon  have  secrets,  of  their  own,  to 
conceal  from  you.  Cultivate  their  society,  and  they  will 
enjoy  yours.  Be  frank,  free  and  open  with  them,  in  all 
matters,  and  they  will  be  the  same  with  you.  Our 
children  are  pretty  much  what  our  intercourse,  and  ex- 
amples make  them. 

Encouragement  is  another  important  element  in  the 
government  of  children.  The  road  they  travel  is  rough 
enough,  at  best,  for  their  soft,  and  tender  little  feet  to 
tread.  They  need  to  be  encouraged  daily.  Deal  with 
them  frankly,  and  fairly  in  all  things.  Remember  they 
have  their  joys  and  sorrows,  their  hopes  and  fears,  as 
well  as  older  people.  If  they  are  full  of  faults,  do  not 
magnify  their  mistakes.  If  they  are  selfish,  do  not 
leave  them  the  fragments  of  the  feast,  lest  they  become 
as  selfish  as  you,  and  treat  their  children  as  you  have 
treated  them.  Always  leave  the  impression,  on  their 
minds,  that  you  expect  something  great,  and  good  of 
them,  when  they  grow  up  to  be  men  and  women  ;  and 
you  are  much  more  likely  to  realize  all  your  fond  ex- 
pectations. Encourage  your  children,  in  every  possible 
way,  to  be  wise  and  good.     Allow  them  to  ask  all  the 


FILIAL    AFFECTION.  3  I 

questions  they  wish,  without  being  snubbed  or  rebuked. 
Never  ignore,  nor  think  them  impertinent,  when  they 
seek  information  at  your  hands.  But,  always,  give 
them  a  civil,  and,  if  in  your  power,  an  intelligent  an- 
swer.    You  owe  them  as  much. 

Children  should  be  taught,  at  an  early  age,  to  love 
their  parents  devotedly.  This  is  not  a  difficult  task  to 
perform.  The  peculiar  relation,  existing  between  par- 
ents and  children,  makes  filial  love  a  natural  conse- 
quence. My  little  daughter,  at  two  years  old,  said  to 
me  one  day,  "  Papa,  I  love  you.''  "Bessie,  why  do 
you  love  your  papa?"  I  inquired.  "Oh,  just  because 
he  is  my  papa,"  was  her  artless,  and  apt  reply.  This 
innate  filial  affection,  properly  cultured,  is  a  crown  of 
glory  to  any  child.  It  is  a  rich  garland  of  unfading 
beauty.  The  child,  who  sincerely  loves  father  and 
mother,  can  not  easily  be  led  astray.  This  love  is  a 
strong  cord,  binding  the  heart  to  its  parental  instruc- 
tions. Such  filial  affection  is  almost  an  insurmountable 
barrier  to  vice,  and  a  powerful  safeguard  to  virtue.  The 
sons  and  daughters,  whose  young  and  tender  hearts  grow 
with  the  growth,  and  glow  with  the  glory  of  this  filial 
affection,  will  be  securely  shielded  from  the  sins  which 
blight  the  prodigals,  and  the  shame  which  blasts  the 
prostitute's  hopes  of  happiness,  and  dreams  of  heaven. 

Children  should  be  taught  good  manners,  and  morals 
very  early  in  life.  They  should  be  taught  to  be  kind, 
and  courteous  to  all ;  and,  especially,  to  their  seniors. 
They  should  be  made  to  respect,  and  reverence  old 
age  ;  and  to  honor,  and  revere  their  parents.  In  fact, 
we  should  cultivate,  in  them,  all  the  tender,  and  at- 
tractive    graces    of    childhood  life.       We    should    train 


32  MANNERS    AND    MORALS. 

them  to  be  tender,  and  sympathetic  in  their  nature; 
generous,  and  noble  at  heart,  and  magnanimous  in  soul ; 
and  they  will  exhibit  gentleness  of  spirit,  and  nobility 
of  character  in  all  the  relations  of  after-life. 

Manners  make  the  child,  in  the  estimation  of  many 
people.  Their  estimate,  of  its  worth,  is  always  founded 
upon  its  demeanor.  And,  the  child's  manners  are,  just 
about,  what  its  early  home-life  makes  them.  If  allowed 
to  be  rude,  boisterous  and  impolite,  in  the  sacred  pre- 
cincts of  the  family  circle,  it  will  manifest  the  same 
traits  of  character  when  abroad.  Hence,  strangers 
readily  read,  in  the  conduct  of  children,  the  story  of 
their  home-life  training.  The  manners  of  children 
abroad,  unlike  the  deportment  of  wiser  heads,  paint 
perfect  pictures  of  their  home  conduct.  And  these  pic- 
tures must  reflect  on  the  folly,  or  compliment  the  wis- 
dom of  their  parents. 

But,  manners  and  morals  are  intimately  associated. 
As  a  rule  they  are  inseparably  connected ;  both  are 
good,  or  both  are  bad.  Then,  to  this  early  training 
may  be  ascribed,  not  merely  the  molding  of  youthful 
character,  but  also  the  more  matured  forms  of  the  men- 
tal, and  moral  developments  of  after-life.  The  wise 
counsels,  of  child-hood's  tender  days,  often  control  the 
doings,  and  destiny  of  manhood's  riper  years.  Chil- 
dren, of  good  manners,  make  men  of  good  morals. 

The  proper  culture,  of  childhood  character,  is  of 
paramount  importance.  Parents  should  look  well  to  the 
conduct  of  their  children  ;  and  select  the  company  they 
keep,  if  they  would  have  them  respected,  and  honored 
by  the  true,  and  the  good  of  earth.  Child-life  is  very 
tender  and  delicate  ;  and  must  be  carefully  cultured,  if 


WISE    CHILDREN.  33 

it  ever  presents  a  character  crowned  with  beauty  and 
glory.  This  child-culture  pertains  to  parents,  and  can 
not  be  transferred,  to  others,  with  impunity.  Children, 
as  a  rule,  must  be  carefully  conducted,  by  parental 
hands,  during  their  tender  years,  if  they  ever  become 
noted  for  their  noble  qualities  and  generous  feelings. 
They  must  be  under  an  interested  guardianship,  if  they 
grow  up  to  be  honored  for  their  queenly  virtues,  or 
rewarded  for  their  noble  works. 

Children's  thoughts  are  often  beyond  their  age.  But, 
we  are  not  likely  to  give  them  credit  for  the  knowledge 
they  do  possess,  be  it  much  or  little.  We  ought  to 
encourage,  rather  than  discourage,  all  tendencies  to 
mental  development.  Let  us  recognize  all  proper 
questions,  by  giving  them  the  plainest  possible  answers. 
It  is  sinful  to  stop,  or  stay  the  mental  growth  of  children, 
by  denying  them  the  earnestly  sought  for  intellectual 
food,  which  it  is  in  our  power  to  give.  The  little 
fellows  are  naturally  full  of  curiosity.  They  constantly 
desire  to  be  learning  something ;  and  we  should  help  to 
gratify  this  laudable  desire,  as  much  as  lies  within  our 
power.  And  yet,  we  should  not  over-tax  the  mental 
faculties  of  such  children,  nor  allow  them  to  do  so. 
There  is  great  danger  in  destroying  their  health,  and 
injuring  their  minds. 

Some  children  are  always  old.  They  never  partake 
of  the  childish  nature,  and  buoyant  spirits  common  to 
those  of  their  age.  They  are  young  in  years  ;  but  have 
old  people's  heads.  Their  features  denote  their  fate. 
Their  sinister  expressions  indicate  the  sordid  experience 
of  age.  Their  early  environments  have  effected  this 
unhappy  result.    Some  of  their  lives  were  dimmed  before 


34  OLD    CHILDREN. 

they  saw  the  light,  rendering  all  their  prospects,  for 
future  life,  utterly  hopeless. 

Children  are  merry  creatures.  Childhood  is  naturally 
too  buoyant,  fresh  and  free  to  indulge  in  melancholy 
thoughts.  They  have  more  pleasant  themes  upon  which 
to  dwell.  Children  will  not  concentrate  their  thoughts 
on  themselves,  brood  over  their  misfortunes  and  sob, 
and  sigh  for  better  days,  unless  they  are  fearfully 
mistreated  and  abused.  They  are  naturally  wont  to 
give  gloomy  thoughts,  and  melancholy  forebodings  to 
the  wings  of  the  winds.  They  prefer  to  be  gay,  and 
happy  in  spirit,  "  let  the  wide  world  wag  as  it  will." 
They  would  leave  melancholy  moods  to  silly  youth,  and 
somber  age.  When  first  loves  are  disappointed,  and 
happy  hopes  are  blighted,  this  is  the  season  for  the 
seeds,  of  melancholy,  to  be  sown  in  the  soul.  These 
are  the  foolish,  and  unfortunate  ones  who  drink  deepest 
drafts  of  the  bitter  waters  of  life's  many  Marahs.  But, 
these  somber  seeds  are,  sometimes,  sown  in  the  most 
sensitive  souls.  These  are  beautiful  souls,  sitting 
silently  in  the  shadows  of  self-gathered  clouds,  while 
they  ought  to  be  shaking  the  dews  of  night  from  their 
folded  wings,  and  soaring  aloft  to  greet  the  sun  at  his 
coming. 

Home  is  the  best  place,  on  earth,  for  children.  It  is 
childhood's  peaceful  paradise.  There  is  no  place  like 
Vome,  sweet,  sweet  home,  to  the  child,  though  it  may  be 
unconscious  of  the  fact.  There  is  no  circle  like  that 
VvLich  is  composed  of  father,  mother,  brothers  and 
sisters  where  love  reigns  supreme,  in  every  heart,  and 
joy  fills  every  soul.  Children  want  to  be  taught  to 
appreciate  their  homes,  more  and  more  ;  and  strive  to 


THE  EARTH  S  ONLY  EDEN.  35 

make  them  still  happier,  and  holier  with  the  sweetest 
libations  of  their  own  fragrant  love  and  boundless 
gratitude.  To  do  this,  we  must  make  them  feel  that 
they  are  important  factors  of  the  home  circle  :  for  not 
until  then,  will  they  manifest  any  special  interest  in  its 
prosperity  and  happiness.  But,  only  let  them  feel  that 
they  are  centers  of  interest,  and  importance  to  the  whole 
family,  and  they  will  prove  a  heritage  of  blessings  to 
the  happy  household  to  which  they  belong. 

The  happy  home  is  the  earth's  only  eden.  Sunshine, 
here,  means  sunshine  everywhere.  Whatever  helps 
home-life,  helps  all  its  inmates.  And,  whatever  makes 
it  happy,  makes  them  happy  also.  He  who  paints  a 
perfect  home,  paints  the  prettiest  picture  of  time.  All 
the  elements  of  happiness,  which  image  heaven,  to  the 
human  heart,  are  to  be  found  in  such  a  home.  All  these 
hidden  treasures,  of  home-happiness,  should  be  discov- 
ered, and  utilized  ere  children  are  allowed  to  leave  the 
parental  hearth-stone,  in  search  of  pastime  or  pleasure. 
The  hearts  of  children,  naturally,  partake  largely  of  the 
sweetness,  and  fragrance  of  their  happy  homes.  The 
disposition  of  the  child  is  molded,  much,  after  the  spirit 
of  its  parents.  The  very  tone,  and  tenure  of  its  feelings 
are  fashioned  after  the  life-examples,  brought  before  its 
eyes  from  time  to  time.  Then,  parents  must  be  what 
they  would  have  their  children  be,  if  their  homes  are 
ever  happy,  and  their  hopes  ever  realized. 

Childhood  is  fortunate,  indeed,  with  the  eyes,  of  such 
a  mother,  resting  upon  it  ;  the  prayers,  of  such  a  father, 
following  it,  day  by  day,  and  the  hallowed  associations, 
of  brothers  and  sisters,  with  their  kind  services  of  love, 
clustering    round    its    pathway,    through    the    tenderest 


36  HAPPY    LITTLE    HATTIE. 

years  of  life.  Amid  such  environments,  the  child's 
character  naturally  forms,  and  fashions  itself  for  fadeless 
wreaths  here,  and  unfailing  joys  in  the  better  world. 

Life  is  full  of  happiness,  only  when  the  home  is  full 
of  love.  Then,  let  the  family  life  be  so  loving  that  its 
sweet,  harmonious  music  will  roll  on,  like  an  undying 
song,  toward  the  silent  shores  of  eternity ;  and  the 
grandest  possibilities  of  home-life,  in  all  its  fullness  and 
richness,  will  be  realized,  by  every  honored  household 
in  the  land. 

Children  ought  to  be  very  happy  creatures.  It  makes 
them  enjoy  life  so  much  better  themselves.  Then, 
everybody  loves  a  handsome,  happy,  cheerful  child 
which  carries  sunshine,  and  gladness  with  it,  wherever 
it  goes.  We  once  had  a  little  niece,  who  filled  this 
description  of  happy  childhood-life.  She  was  not  three 
years  old.  We  had  known  her  but  three  days ;  yet,  she 
had  won  a  seat  in  our  affections  which  but  few  children 
ever  held.  Little  Hattie  was  indeed  a  household  pet. 
Her  little  feet  knew  no  rest  save  in  sleep.  And,  her 
innocent  glee,  her  silver  voice  and  her  merry  laughter 
were  regarded,  by  all  its  inmates,  as  the  key-note  to  the 
sweetest  music  of  her  happy  home.  She  was  not 
merely  the  idol  of  fond  parents.  She  endeared  herself, 
naturally,  to  all  hearts.     Hattie  was,  indeed, 

A  bright,  and  gifted  little  girl, 
With  rosy  cheeks  and  golden  curls  ; 
And  keen  black  eyes  to  light,  with  grace, 
The  sunny  smiles  that  crowned  her  face. 

Her  life  was  but  a  sunbeam,  brief,  bright  and  beautiful, 
which  was  lost  in  the  sparkling  waters.     Her  death  was 


HAPPY    CHILDREN, 
(See  page  37.) 


TEMPTING    TOYS.  tf 

a  single   struggle,   and  the  happy   dream  of   life   was 
over. 

For  children  to  be  happy,  themselves,  they  must  try 
to  make  others  happy.  Wherever  you  find  a  child, 
whose  every  effort  seems  to  be  to  make  others  happy ; 
and  one  who  does  bring  light,  and  gladness  not  only 
into  the  home  circle,  where  fond  parents  listen,  with 
beating  hearts,  for  the  bounding  foot-steps,  and  musical 
voice  of  their  fireside  angel ;  but,  also  into  school-life, 
where  delighted  playmates  speak,  through  beaming 
countenances,  a  joyous  greeting  ;  and  where  an  honored 
teacher  cordially  welcomes,  as  the  light  of  his  school, 
the  gladdener  of  all  hearts,  you  will  find  a  child,  whose 
hours  are  hours  of  happiness,  whose  days  are  radiant 
with  sunshine,  whose  life  will  be  almost  a  cloudless  one 
and  whose  golden  sun  will  sink  behind  the  hazy  horizon 
of  age,  while  its  lingering  beams  of  beauty,  love  and 
happiness  still  gladden  the  hearts  of  thousands  of  loved 
ones  left  behind. 

If  happy  you  can  others  make, 
More  happiness  in  you'll  awake; 
Till,  radiant,  like  the  beams  of  day, 
Your  life,  in  joys,  shall  melt  away. 

Children  should  be  taught,  early  in  life,  to  avoid  the 
tempting  toys  of  time.  They  should  be  pointed,  while 
young,  to  the  paths  of  peace.  They  are,  then,  easily 
led  in  the  ways  of  life  and  salvation.  They  are  never 
happier  than  when  they  are  imitating  their  parents. 
The  difficulty  is,  we  too  often  try  to  drive  them,  in  the 
right  direction,  with  our  precepts;  while,  by  our  exam- 
ples, which  are  more  powerful,  we  are  leading  them  in 


38  JESUS    LOVES    CHILDREN. 

the  wrong  way.  They  are  the  tender,  little  lambs  of 
the  flock;  and  to  be  saved,  they  must  be  cared  for  ten- 
derly ;  and  carried,  in  the  arms  of  precept  and  example, 
to  the  loving  Saviour,  who  took  the  little  children  in  his 
arms,  and  blessed  them  while  on  earth.  Their  condition 
is  a,  comparatively,  helpless  one.  If  we  expose  them, 
to  the  enemy  ol  souls,  they  are  almost  sure  to  be  lost. 

Children  may,  and  should  be  brought  to  Jesus,  at  a 
very  early  age.  They  need  never  cross  the  line  of 
accountability,  without  an  experimental  knowledge  of 
Christ,  as  their  personal  Saviour,  formed  in  their  little 
hearts  the  hope  of  glory.  Jesus  loves,  even,  the  little 
children ;  and  they  ought  to  love  him,  with  all  the  ran- 
somed powers  of  their  redeemed  souls.  Then,  they 
would  have  thrown  around  them  the  loving  arms  of 
guardian  angels,  who  would  daily  direct  their  wander- 
ing steps,  in  the  ways  of  life  and  salvation,  more  per- 
fectly. 

Children  should  never  be  deceived,  by  their  parents. 
Much  less  should  they  misrepresent  matters,  or  tell 
them  falsehoods.  The  little  fellows  are  very  credulous ; 
and  it  is  worse  than  wicked  to  impose  upon  their 
credulity.  They  love  urbanity,  and  truthfulness  in  their 
seniors:  and  they  have  a  right  to  expect  to  find  the 
same,  under  all  the  circumstances  of  life.  Their  con- 
fiding natures  demand  frankness,  upon  our  part,  and  it 
is  wicked  to  withhold  it  from  them.  Nothing  should 
ever  be  promised  them,  that  is  not  given  ;  nothing 
threatened,  that  is  not  inflicted,  and  nothing  told  them, 
that  is  not  strictly  true.  Fidelity  is,  to  trusting  child- 
hood, what  sunshine  is  to  the  tender  plants  of  spring- 
time.    It   is   their   hope   of   life.     So  the  smiles  of  sin- 


TELLING  THE  CHILDREN  ABOUT  JESUS 
(See  page  38  J 


RICHEST    AND    RAREST.  39 

cerity,  on  parental  lips,  send  sunbeams,  of  hope,  into 
the  filial  hearts  of  confiding  children. 

Many  of  our  richest,  and  rarest  lessons  are  learned 
from  the  unfolding  pages  of  childhood-life.  When  we 
study  the  artless  words,  and  innocent  ways  of  the  little 
child,  we  gather  some  of  the  most  beautiful,  and  val- 
uable lessons  of  life.  The  frank,  and  open  way  that 
these  children  have  of  dealing  with  everything  they 
handle  is  well  calculated  to  reprove  the  best  of  us  for 
our  secrecy,  and  deception  in  all  the  walks,  and  ways 
of  life. 

Children  should  live  largely  in  the  light ;  breathe  the 
pure  air,  and  take  plenty  of  out-door  exercise.  Their 
health,  and  happiness,  absolutely,  demand  as  much. 
They  are  like  the  delicate  flowers  of  spring-time.  They 
must  bask  in  the  summer  sunshine,  and  drink  in  the 
ambient  atmosphere  of  heaven,  or  else,  becoming  pale 
and  sickly,  they  will  soon  lose  all  their  beauty  of  com- 
plexion, and  buoyancy  of  spirit.  We  love  to  see  the 
dear  little  children  flocking,  in  merry  crowds,  and  hear 
them  laughing,  and  shouting,  in  their  harmless  sport,  as 
they  romp,  and  frolic  over  field  and  meadow,  or  lounge 
in  lawn  or  woodland. 

Children  should  not  be  allowed  to  eoree  themselves 

o        o 

on  sweetmeats.  We  should  never  surfeit  them,  on 
anything,  if  we  wish  them  to  appreciate,  and  enjoy  the 
same.  Too  much  candy,  cakes  or  cookies  are  very 
injurious  to  children.  When  indulged  in,  to  excess, 
they  are  both  physical,  and  moral  evils,  which  can  not 
be  too  strongly  condemned.  Their  tendency  is  to  en- 
feeble the  body,  engross  the  mind  and  encroach  upon 
the  morals  of  childhood-life. 


40  THE  GOLDEN    MEAN. 

Children,  very  early,  manifest  a  desire  to  possess 
something  they  can  call  their  own.  This  disposition 
should  be  properly  encouraged.  There  should  be  a 
place  set  apart,  in  every  household,  sacred  to  the  treas- 
ures of  its  children.  They  should  be  counseled  to  col- 
lect, and  keep  such  things  as  will  prove  ornamental,  and 
useful  in  their  future  homes.  And  they  should  be 
taught  to  measure  a  thing  by  its  quality,  rather  than  from 
its  quantity ;  and  to  prize  things  for  their  real  value, 
rather  than  for  what  they  may  have  cost,  in  dollars  and 
cents. 

A  certain  amount  of  hardships,  in  early  life,  is  abso- 
lutely essential  to  the  proper  development  of  a  child's 
physical,  mental  and  moral  muscles.  These  forces 
will  all  remain  inert,  unless  awakened  by  a  sense  of 
personal  need ;  and  inactive,  if  not  aroused,  by  personal 
efforts,  to  supply  individual  wants,  and  meet  future  de- 
mands. Then,  teach  your  children  to  wait  on  them- 
selves, when  they  can,  and  when  it  will  be  a  blessing 
for  them  to  do  so.  But,  do  not  make  slaves  of  the 
little  fellows,  overburdening  their  young,  and  tender 
lives.  Strike  for  the  golden  mean,  which  lies  between 
the  two  extremes  of  raising  children  up,  either  in  sloth- 
fulness  or  slavery.  Teach  them  to  take  hold,  of  the 
tasks  of  life,  with  willing  hands  and  patient  hearts  ;  and 
success  will  crown  their  worthy  efforts.  Let  the  loads 
of  life,  laid  upon  them,  be  light  at  first,  increasing,  in 
weight,  with  the  flight  of  years ;  and  they  will  bear 
their  burdens,  like  little  heroes,  to  the  crowning  day. 

Children  should,  always,  be  children.  Their  youthful 
impulses,  and  childish  innocence  should  never  forsake 
them.     The  sweet  spirit,  of  childhood's  better  life,  ought 


A   FROLIC. 

(See  page  39.) 


EARTHLY    JEWELS. 


41 


to  dwell  in  their  hearts  forever.  We,  all,  ought  to  be 
childlike  in  spirit.  For,  after  all,  we  are  only  grown-up 
children  ;  and  an  immortal  youth  awaits  us,  in  the  better 
world,  if,  childlike,  we  are  found  ready  to  be  received 
into  the  joys  of  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  the  Father's 
glory. 

Children  are  the  heritage  of  the  Lord.  He  has  recog- 
nized them,  as  his  earthly  jewels.  He  always  greets 
them,  at  their  coming,  with  his  loving  welcome  smiles. 
He  is  ever  saying,  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me 
and  forbid  them  not  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. 


GIRLHOOD. 


Chapter  III. 


The  pretty  girl,  with  winning  grace ; 
Wears,  oft,  a  smile  upon  her  face. 


IRLHOOD  is  life  at  leisure.  It  is 
the  may-day  of  life.  It  is  romantic 
life,  lingering  in  the  lap  of  versa- 
tile spring.  It  is  happy  spring- 
life,  merging,  hopefully,  into  sun- 
ny summer.  It  is  life,  limpid  and 
lovely,  blooming  into  beautiful, 
bewitching  woman-hood. 

Girlhood-life  is  delicate,  but  de- 
voted and  daring.  Subtile,  secret  and  sensitive  are  all 
its  springs  of  action.  Its  melodious  chords  are  moved 
by  a  breath,  or  snapped  by  a  breeze.  Its  tender  flowers 
are  bruised,  and  its  opening  blossoms  withered  by  one 
rude  touch.  Its  innocence,  and  purity  are  too  sacred  to 
be  exposed  to  the  poisoned  arrows,  and  deadly  missiles 
of  the  vulgar  and  the  vile.  Its  virtue  should  be  guard- 
ed, by  the  eye  of  the  vigilant,  and  its  steps  guided,  by 
the  hands  of  the  trusty  and  the  true. 


<^%v^    3 


GIRLHOOD. 


AS  RICH   AS  RARE.  43 

Girlhood's  hopes  should  be  shielded  with  watch-care, 
and  secured  with  safety  locks ;  panoplied  with  protecting 
grace,  and  crowned  with  unfading  glory.  Its  pathway, 
through  life,  should  be  paved  with  love ;  and  all  its 
overarchings  painted  with  peace  and  purity.  Demons 
should  flee  at  its  gentle  approach ;  and  angels  hail  it 
happy,  in  its  onward  march  toward  the  land  of  light  and 
life. 

The  ideal  girl  is  a  jewel,  as  rich  as  she  is  rare.  She 
is  a  priceless  gem,  to  those  who  know  her  best.  She  is 
the  pride  of  a  fond  father's  heart,  the  comfort  of  a  de- 
voted mother's  life,  the  guardian  angel  of  loving  broth- 
ers and  the  reigning  queen  of  the  social  circle  in  which 
she  moves.  She  wears  a  crown  of  light,  wields  a 
sceptre  of  love  and  welcomes  the  voice  of  liberty  wher- 
ever it  is  heard.  Whether  in  thralldom,  or  on  the 
throne,  she  is  as  free,  and  happy  as  the  lovely  lark,  that 
sings,  and  soars  above  her  devoted  head. 

Chary  girls  are  the  charms  of  life.  Their  prudence 
prompts  their  principle  attractions,  and  helps  them  win 
their  way  to  the  hearts  of  others.  Girls  who  would  be 
loved,  honored  and  happy  must  guard  well  their 
thoughts,  words  and  actions.  They  must  place  watch, 
and  ward  over  their  tongues  and  tempers.  A  solitary, 
selfish  thought  might  harm  no  one  else,  directly,  but 
sow  the  seeds  of  jealousy  in  your  own  life,  and  make  it 
most  miserable  to  the  end.  A  single,  sarcastic  word 
may  not  only  wound  the  sensitive  heart  of  another,  but 
it  may  also  embitter  your  own  soul  for  days,  weeks  or 
even  years  to  come.  And  one  rash  act  alone  might 
dishonor  your  loved  ones,  and  disgrace  yourself  for  life. 
But  good   thoughts,  kind  words  and  generous  acts,  like 


44  TIME,    THE    TYRANT. 

sweet  flowers,  are  fresh  with  the  dew  of  heaven,  and 
freighted  with  a  fragrance  which  will  sweeten  your  own, 
as  well  as  the  lives  of  your  loved  ones,  even  down  to 
your  dying  day. 

Girlhood's  happy  hours  are  freighted,  but  fleeting ; 
and  should  not  be  wasted  in  the  frivolities,  and  vanities 
of  the  day.  Her  days  are  entirely  too  transitory,  to 
admit  of  such  folly.  The  cheerful  smile,  the  roguish 
laugh  and  the  merry  glee  will  soon  give  way  to  the 
sober  realities  of  domestic  life.  Time,  the  heartless 
tyrant,  will  soon  set  up  his  changes,  against  your  charms 
of  youth  and  beauty.  The  chances  are  against  you, 
even  in  the  contest  for  life  itself.  Death,  the  kindred 
companion  of  time,  is  also  on  your  track,  with  tireless 
pace.  You  will  have  to  make  good  time,  or  he  will 
overtake  you,  ere  you  reach  the  meridian  of  life. 

The  first  work,  of  girlhood's  lingering  years,  in  point 
of  importance,  is  the  formation  of  a  suitable  character, 
for  the  arduous  duties  of  domestic,  and  social  life. 
All  the  ingenuity,  and  energy  of  a  girl's  happiest  days 
should  be  devoted  to  fortifying  her  character  for  the 
warfare  of  coming  woman-hood-life.  The  girl,  whose 
goal  is  a  pure  lofty  generous  Christian  woman-hood,  has 
before  her  the  loveliest  ideal  this  side  the  glory  world. 
And,  she  who  wins,  and  wears  such  a  crown,  on  earth, 
will  be  honored  with  a  golden  diadem  in  heaven. 

The  development  of  a  chaste,  charming  character  is 
the  primary  object — the  one  end  that  God  has  in  view 
when  he  brings  all  things,  in  nature,  providence  and 
grace  under  tribute  to  those  who  love,  and  serve  him 
faithfully.  He  wants  followers,  with  kindred  affinities 
to  himself   and  his    Son.      For,  such  characters,  are  as 


A    CHARMING    CHARACTER.  45 

naturally,  and  powerfully  attracted  toward  God,  as  the 
meteor  toward  the  earth,  or  the  earth  toward  the  sun. 
And,  such  persons  are  sure  of  heaven.  They  have  a 
through  ticket,   and  are  on  a  safe  train. 

Girlhood-life  has  its  playful  moods,  which  should  not 
only  be  indulged,  but  also  encouraged,  since  they  not 
only  give  vigor  to  the  body,  but  also  infuse  fervor  into 
the  forming  character.  A  gloomy,  despondent  girl- 
hood-life saddens  the  heart  forever ;  and  casts  a  dark 
shadow  over  the  character  for  life.  But,  the  sorrows, 
incident  to  girlhood's  days,  are  mostly  imaginary.  In 
fact,  all  our  troubles  are  largely  borrowed.  But,  then, 
it  is  quite  natural,  it  seems,  for  us  to  expect  shadows  to 
fall  across  our  pathways ;  and,  to  anticipate  the  burdens 
of  life,  which  are  always  on  the  eve  of  breaking  our 
aching  hearts.  When,  if  we  would  only,  and  always, 
walk  around,  and  look  for  a  moment  on  the  sunny  side 
of  life,  we  would  be  sure  to  see  a  silver  lining,  to  every 
dark,  and  drifting  cloud,  which  crosses  our  pathways 
through  life. 

Girls,  character,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad,  is  soon 
engraved,  on  the  face,  and  outlined,  in  the  features, 
of  its  possessor.  And  there  is  always  a  very  imperfect 
character  delineated,  in  the  face,  when  there  is  a  mental, 
or  moral  malady  to  be  found  in  the  soul.  It  requires  a 
steady,  stalwart  character  to  stand  the  shocks,  and  sur- 
vive the  wrecks  of  this  wicked  world.  Seek,  success- 
fully, for  such  a  character.  It  is  Christianity's  crowning 
grace. 

Girls  should  regard  themselves  as  subordinates  to 
their  mothers,  so  long  as  they  remain  under  the  parental 
roof,   if   not  longer.      They   should  never  speak   disre- 


46  RESPECT    YOUR   MOTHERS. 

spectfully  of  them,  though  they  be  their  superiors  in 
point  of  education  and  refinement.  It  manifests  a  want 
of  gratitude,  not  to  say  of  good  common  sense,  for  a 
daughter  to  speak  of  the  imperfections,  and  follies  of 
her  mother.  It  also  shows  an  over  stock  of  self-conceit, 
and  presumption  to  see  her  assuming  control  of  the 
household,  as  though  she  was  better  qualified  to  govern 
the  family  than  her  mother. 

Girls,  never  speak  of  your  mothers,  save  in  terms  of 
endearment.  The  girl  who  calls  her  mother  "the  old 
woman,"  "the  governess,"  or  "my  maternal  ancestor" 
is  evidently  wanting  in  the  upper  story.  Such  conduct 
is  very  rude,  indeed ;  and  will  lower  any  little  lass,  in 
the  estimation  of  all  sensible  people.  It  shows  a  sad 
want  of  filial  affection ;  yea,  of  gratitude,  and  respect 
for  one  who  gave  her  birth,  and  shields  her  from  the 
hardships  of  life.  On  the  other  hand,  nothing  is  more 
to  be  admired  in  a  young  miss,  than  to  see  her  ladyship 
showing  due  deference  to  the  will,  and  wishes  of  an 
honored  mother.  It  elevates  her  in  the  estimation  of  all 
who  are  worthy  of  her  confidence,  or  companionship ; 
and  especially  does  it  endear  her  to  the  maternal  heart. 

Girls,  be  kind,  and  good  to  your  mothers.  If  they 
should  be  taken  away  from  you,  there  are  none  to  take 
their  places.  They  love,  -  and  care  for  you,  as  no  one 
else  ever  could  or  would.  Then,  make  their  burdens 
light,  with  your  own  helping  hands.  Make  their  hearts 
happy,  with  your  own  winning  words.  Do  not  sit  idly 
by,  with  folded  arms,  while  your  wornout  mothers  tug, 
and  toil  for  you  the  year  round.  Days,  without  work, 
bring  nights,  without  weariness.  But,  if  sleep  be  truly 
sweet    and   refreshing,  we  must    be   resting   from    our 


A    SISTER  S    LOVE.  47 

labors,  and  not  simply  prolonging  the  lounging,  or  loaf- 
ing of  the  day  through  the  tiresome  hours  of  night. 
Then,  be  faithful,  and  affectionate  to  both  of  your  par- 
ents. Honor  father,  and  mother,  with  the  filial  affec- 
tions of  hearts,  overflowing  with  fidelity  and  love.  Do 
not  plow  furrows  of  care,  through  their  silver  brows  ; 
nor  add  one  sorrow  to  their,  already,  burdened  souls. 
But,  rather,  shed  light,  and  love  upon  their  lives,  with 
your  words  of  cheer,  and  evidences  of  filial  devotion. 
In  this  way,  you  will  crown  your  parents  with  honor,  and 
make  your  own  lives  much  holier  and  happier. 

Good  girls  manifest  a  special  interest  in,  and  exert 
a  benign  influence  over  their  brothers.  The  sweet 
spirited  lass,  who  has  none  but  loving  words,  pleasant 
smiles  and  happy  greetings  for  an  honored  brother, 
may  hope  to  win  his  confidence,  share  his  love  and 
reign  queen  sister  of  his  fraternal  heart  forever.  Such 
a  sister's  sacred  influence  will  fall,  even  upon  a  wayward 
brother's  heart,  like  holy  incense  from  off  some  un- 
known altar.  Her  restraining  graces  will  settle  down, 
upon  his  lawless  spirit,  like  sweetest  fragrance  from  out 
some  unseen  censor.  And  she  will  gradually  melt  his 
heart,  and  remold  his  character,  by  the  purity  and  power 
of  her  own  sweet  life.  She  will  ever  stay  his  prodigal- 
ity, and  lead  him  to  Christ,  through  her  own  fidelity,  and 
devotion  to  the  religion  of  the  cross. 

Girls,  love  your  brothers.  Make  them  feel  your  gen- 
tle influence  for  good.  A  sister's  love  is  a  brother's 
shield.  He  knows  her  kiss  is  without  guile,  and  her 
touch  the  touch  of  purity.  Aye !  beautiful  is  the  love 
of  a  devoted  sister.  It  is  the  soft,  silvery  moonlight, 
falling  upon  the  pathway  of   a  happy,    hopeful   brother, 


48  SILENT   AND   SOOTHING. 

Then,  girls,  love  your  brothers  tenderly,  with  the  hearts 
of  sisters,  and  you  may  lead  them  gently,  with  the 
hands  of  sisters,  to  happiness  and  to  heaven. 

Girls,  your  brothers'  conduct,  toward  you,  depends 
largely  upon  yours  toward  them.  If  you  are  sisters, 
in  the  true  sense,  they  are  almost  sure  to  be  generous, 
devoted  brothers :  and  many  tokens  of  tenderness,  and 
evidences  of  affection  will  crowd,  and  crown  your  path- 
way, through  the  sunny  scenes  of  girlhood-life.  In 
other  words,  your  brothers  will  be,  to  you,  largely  what 
you  make  them.  Then,  be  sure  to  use  your  heaven- 
bestowed  graces,  and  God-given  powers  to  the  best 
possible  advantage,  in  securing,  for  yourselves,  the 
constant  protection  of  fraternal  hands,  and  the  merited 
praise  of  fraternal  hearts.  For,  that  sincere  sister  is 
doubly  safe,  who  shares  the  confidence,  and  receives 
the  guardian  care  of  a  fond,  devoted  brother.  Then,  a 
sainted  sister's  love  will  always  be  cherished,  in  the 
grateful  memory  of  an  honored  brother's  heart. 

Girls,  be  affable  to  all,  and  you  will  win  many. 
Write  your  names  upon  the  hearts  of  your  associates ; 
and  you  will  never  be  forgotten.  You  may  be  separated 
from  them,  by  and  by,  but  your  acts  of  love  will  linger 
long  in  memory's  halls,  and  be  as  legible,  in  coming 
years,  as  the  stars  of  night,  upon  the  brow  of  the  even- 
ing. Only  let  your  influence  be  as  gentle,  and  invigor- 
ating as  the  pearly  dewdrops,  and  as  silent,  and  soothing 
as  the  sweet-scented  heliotrope,  and  you  will  live  forever, 
in  the  memory  of  those  who  love  you,  while  you  are 
young.  Such  conduct  will  also  leave  many  pleasant 
recollections,  lingering  in  your  own  memories. 

Girls,   cultivate  easy,   elegant,  refined  manners.     Do 


FRIENDS    AND    FRIENDSHIP.  49 

not  be  pert.  Know  when  to  speak,  and  when  to  refrain 
from  speaking.  Know  how  to  speak,  and  suit  your  ac- 
tions to  your  words.  Cultivate  sweet,  gentle,  charming 
manners,  if  you  would  win  the  hearts  of  the  wise,  and 
repel  the  advances  of  the  wayward  and  the  wanton. 
Remember,  the  heart  is  the  fountain  source  of  true  cren- 
tility.  When  it  overflows  with  good  will  and  wishes, 
for  all,  there,  you  will  find  good  manners  and  good  mor- 
als. For,  such  a  heart  is  destitute  of  selfishness  and 
sensuality,  and  is  devoted  to  the  sacred,  as  well  as  to 
the  secular  interests  of  humanity. 

Girls,  court  friendship.  It  is  reciprocal.  It  will  shield 
your  heads,  in  the  hours  of  danger.  It  will  soothe  your 
hearts,  in  the  time  of  sorrow.  Friends  are  a  great  com- 
fort, in  the  days  of  prosperity  ;  but  they  are  a  sweeter 
solace,  in  the  years  of  adversity.  They  brighten  our 
highest  joys,  and  soften  our  saddest  bereavements. 

Girls,  prepare  to  meet  the  influences  of  the  social  cir- 
cle, which  pour  in  upon  girlhood-life,  like  the  myriad 
streams,  which  feed  the  ocean,  lest  they  deluge  your 
souls,  with  society  plans,  and  worldly  pleasures.  Fortify 
yourselves  behind  fixed  purposes  to  be  good,  to  get 
good,  and  to  do  good  while  in  the  world. 

Girls,  be  gentle,  tender  and  affectionate.  Ever,  culti- 
vate kind,  benevolent,  charitable  spirits.  These  are  the 
strongest  elements  of  your  noble  natures.  They  are 
virtues,  which  will  richly  adorn  your  queenly  characters 
through  life.  If  you  are  slighted,  by  your  associates, 
never  show  that  you  feel  it.  It  might  not  have  been 
intentional.  If  courtesy  is  not  shown  you  in  society, 
never  resist  it  publicly.  It  would  only  give  publicity  to 
your  shame,  and  make  many  persons  feel  that  you  had 


50  CHASTITY. 

been  treated,  as  you  deserved.  You  had  better  remain 
quiet,  until  an  apology  is  offered.  Let  your  salutations 
be  graceful  and  cordial,  but  not  too  familiar,  especially 
in  public. 

Girls,  be  chaste.  Chastity  is  a  priceless  jewel.  It 
is  a  twin  sister  to  purity,  and  the  handmaid  of  virtue. 
Be  chaste  in  thought,  word  and  action,  and  you  will 
wall  yourselves  in,  from  the  armies  of  vice.  For,  such 
chastity  is  more  than  a  match  for  vice,  and  a  safe- 
guard to  virtue.  Chastity  is  virtue's  shield  and  buck- 
ler. Purity  is  essential  to  your  success  in  life.  It  is 
one  of  the  prime  elements  of  female  character.  But, 
purity  itself,  without  energy,  will  not  give  a  positive 
character:  and  negative  characters,  among  females,  are 
almost  sure  to  be  slaves  to  folly  and  fashion.  They  are 
invariably  strangers  to  the  nobler  aims,  and  ends  of 
those  whose  lives  are  freighted  with  grand  achievements, 
and  crowned  with  endless  glories. 

Girls,  be  modest  and  unassuming.  Be  virtuous,  hon- 
est and  industrious,  and  you  are  sure  to  succeed  in 
life.     For: 

Modesty  is  a  jewel,  and  virtue  a  gem  of  gold  ; 
Honesty  and  industry  bring  blessings  untold : 
Then,  keep  to  the  right,  to  these  graces  prove  true, 
And  the  blessings  they  proffer  shall  flow  unto  you. 

Girls,  do  not  talk  too  much.  Guard  well  your 
tongues.  Your  sex  bears  the  name,  if  not  the  nature, 
of  being  too  talkative.  Fight  against  this  growing 
evil,  in  both  sexes.  Bridle  your  tongues,  and  hold  tight 
the  reins.  Let  your  words  be  wisely  selected.  When 
duty  bids  you    speak,    silence    would   be   a    sin.     But. 


TALKING    TONGUES.  5 1 

when  prudence,  or  discretion  seals  your  lips,  to  speak  is 
very  unbecoming.  But,  you  must,  first,  listen  and  learn, 
if  you  would,  afterward,  talk  and  teach.  If  you  would 
be  thought  wise,  unite  a  calm,  and  contemplative  spirit 
with  an  active,  and  energetic  will ;  and  then  select  well, 
and  season  your  words  with  wisdom.  If  you  would 
grow  wiser,  cultivate  constantly  all  the  faculties  of  your 
triune  beings  ;  and  see  that  their  capacities  are  prop- 
erly, and  fully  developed. 

Girls,  do  not  get  out  of  humor.  Govern  your  tem- 
pers. Subdue  your  passions.  A  little  word,  or  deed 
might  mar  your  pleasures  for  life.  Lock  your  anger  up, 
in  your  hearts,  and  throw  the  key  of  passion  away. 
Place  your  tongues  under  proper  restraints.  Prohibit 
them  from  uttering  that  which  is  false  or  foolish.  If 
not  restrained,  the  tongue  is  a  vile  tattler,  a  tale  teller, 
a  testy  little  tyrant,  a  terrific  tiger.  When  turned  loose, 
it  is  always  ready  to  tease,  tantalize,  torment,  or  torture 
its  timid  victims.  The  tongue,  at  liberty,  is  a  truant,  a 
traitor  and  a  traducer.  At  best,  it  is  a  trenchant,  trucu- 
lent, troublesome  trespasser.  It  must  be  guarded,  and 
guided  with  the  utmost  care  and  caution,  at  all  times,  in 
order  to  keep  it  in  the  bounds  of  reason.  Then,  girls, 
if  you  should  get  angry,  do  not  talk  much.  Silence 
often  indicates  more  wisdom  than  words,  any  way.  But, 
again,  silence  and  sounds,  combined,  give  us  music's 
sweetest  strains,  happiest  harmonies  and  richest  mel- 
odies. 

Girls,  be  cheerful.  Let  the  shifting  shadows  flee 
away  ;  and  summons  the  sunshine  to  your  assistance. 
It  will  soon  dispel  the  darkness,  drive  back  the  clouds, 
and  light  up  your  countenances  with  joy  and  gladness. 


52  SUNSHINE    AND    SHADOWS. 

Still,  do  not  expect  life's  scenes  to  be  all  sunshine,  and 
no  shadows.  For,  if  so,  you  are  sure  to  be  sadly  dis- 
appointed. Nature  has  her  nights,  as  well  as  her  days. 
So,  life  is  diversified,  with  lights  and  shadows.  But, 
some  people  seem  to  prefer  the  darkness  to  the  day, 
the  shadows  to  the  sunshine.  They  are  always  look- 
ing on  the  night  side,  rather  than  on  the  bright  side 
of  life.  They  are  ever  ready  to  give  credence  to  bad 
news ;  and  quite  as  quick  to  doubt  the  good  reports. 
Girls,  cheerful,  hopeful  spirits  will  do  much  to  drive 
back  the  dark  clouds,  which  may  overshadow  your 
pathways  through  life.  They  will  often  turn  your  tear- 
ful eyes  toward  the  halos  of  hope,  which  hang  upon  the 
hazy  horizons  of  your  sunless  skies.  Then,  clad  in  the 
panoplies  of  cheerful,  hopeful,  buoyant  spirits,  go  for- 
ward, girls,  with  brave  hearts,  and  holy  lives  to  happi- 
ness and  to  heaven. 

But,  girls  should  not  always  be  gay  and  giddy, 
sporting,  like  little  lambs  on  the  lea,  or  butterflies  on 
the  lawn.  They  should  have  some  sober,  sensible 
thoughts,  every  day  they  live.  It  is  all  wrong,  for  girls 
to  regard  themselves  as  mere  ornaments  of  society. 
They  are  wont  to  become  the  solid  substance  of  the 
social  fabric,  of  which  they  constitute  such  important 
factors.  If  you  would  make  wise  women,  you  must 
not  frolic  away  your  early  years.  If  you  would  fill 
successfully  your  respective  missions  on  earth,  you 
must  make  suitable  preparations  while  young. 

Girls,  be  natural.  Leave  off  all  affectation.  It  is 
folly — it  is  worse — it  is  wicked.  It  is  an  attempt  to  de- 
ceive, which  seldom  succeeds.  Imitations  are  worthless. 
A  girl  should  neither   be    a  mocking-bird,  nor  a  mon- 


THOUGHTFUL    GIRLS. 

(See  page  5a.) 


MOCKING-BIRDS    AND    MONKEYS.  53 

key.  She  should  not  mimic,  nor  imitate  other  people. 
Counterfeits  are  of  no  value.  She  should  be  herself. 
An  attempt  to  be  another  is  a  confession  of  her  own 
inferiority.  It  is  a  loss  of  vantage  ground.  But  on  the 
other  hand,  every  natural  act  adds  beauty,  and  grace  to 
a  girl's  personal  charms  ;  and  every  unaffected  utterance 
lends  new  attractions  to  her  social  powers,  and  increases 
the  number  of  her  worthy  admirers.  Girls,  your  beauty 
lies  largely  in  your  bearing,  behavior  and  becoming 
manners.  Let  your  conduct,  always,  be  characterized 
by  a  meek,  and  modest  bearing;  a  gentle,  and  generous 
spirit.  And  as  you  grow,  in  years,  you  ought  to  grow, 
daily,  in  all  the  graces,  and  virtues  which  strengthen, 
and  adorn  the  queenly  character  of  the  highest,  and 
purest  type  of  Christian  woman-hood. 

Girls,  seek  to  be  useful.  There  is  a  happy  sphere — 
an  honorable  position  for  every  bright,  and  free-hearted 
girl  in  the  land.  Girls  ought  to  be  full  partners,  with 
the  world's  masters.  Give  them  places,  along  beside 
their  brothers,  and  they  will  laugh  at  the  flattery  of 
flirts,  and  scorn  the  proposals  of  beer  kegs,  and  tramps. 
They  will  not  risk  their  fortunes  in  the  hands  of  knaves, 
nor  nabobs,  dunces,  nor  dudes.  They  know  that  de- 
graded woman-hood  is  a  diamond,  in  the  dust,  and  they 
will  run  no  such  risks,  in  the  matrimonial  market. 

But,  our  girls  have  never  had  a  fair  chance,  with  the 
boys,  in  the  race  of  life.  They  have  always  been  im- 
pressed, with  the  erroneous  idea,  that  they  were  inferior 
to  the  boys,  both  physically  and  mentally.  They  have 
been  told,  over  and  over  again,  that  they  could  not  solve 
profound  problems,  nor  comprehend  scientific,  and  re- 
vealed   truths    like    their    brothers.     This    thought,    of 


54  "  MARBLE    MANSIONS. 

mental  inferiority,  has  paralyzed  their  energies,  and 
deadened  their  aspirations  for  ages.  It  has  been  a  dead 
weight  upon  their  mental  activities,  and  intellectual  de- 
velopments. It  has  hushed  the  harps  of  their  hearts, 
and  weighed  down  the  wings  of  their  young  woman- 
hood. 

But,  girls,  be  not  overwise,  in  your  own  conceits. 
Receive  all  suggestions  kindly,  whether  you  adopt  them 
or  not.  Weigh  well  the  advice  of  your  friends ;  and, 
especially,  if  they  be  your  seniors,  who  speak  from 
experience.  Neither  should  you  place  too  high  an  esti- 
mate upon  your  own  moral  worth.  Nor  can  you  afford 
to  be  vain,  even,  of  your  own  virtuous  life.  For,  it 
may  be  more  the  result  of  your  environments,  than  of 
your  chastity  of  head  and  purity  of  heart.  We,  all, 
have  our  weak  points — our  besetting  sins.  If  we  had 
to  change  circumstances,  and  surroundings  with  some 
of  the  vile  of  earth,  we  might  be  more  vile  than  they  ; 
while  they  might  be  more  virtuous  than  we. 

Soliciting  girls,  do  not  manifest,  too  much,  curiosity. 
It  is  not  at  all  commendable,  to  be  always  prying  into 
other  people's  affairs.  Then,  again,  such  curiosity, 
when  satisfied,  seldom  confers  any  real  pleasure.  You 
might  search  the  cosy  cottages  of  the  poor,  and  the 
marble  mansions  of  the  rich;  you  might  pry  into  the 
private  chambers  of  princes,  and  ransack  the  recesses 
of  the  nuptial  alcove,  and  it  would,  all,  only  intensify 
your  curiosity,  diminish  your  enjoyment  and  rob  you 
of  your  self-respect,  with  the  respect  of  others.  This 
curiosity  begins  where  necessity  ends.  It  is  a  longing 
to  see  that  which  we  should  not  see  ;  to  know  that  which 
we  should  not  know,  and  to  do  that  which  we   have   no 


CREDULOUS    GIRLS.  5,5 

right  to  do.  Therefore  we  should  clip  its  wings,  that 
it  may  cease  to  soar. 

Credulous  girls,  do  not  be  too  easily  flattered.  You 
can  not  afford  to  believe  everything  the  boys  say,  when 
they  compliment  your  beauty,  or  eulogize  your  accom- 
plishments. They  will  exaggerate.  It  is  perfectly 
natural,  it  seems,  for  them  to  deal  in  "taffy."  They 
are  also  much  given  to  sentimentalism.  Many  of  them 
are  mere  sycophants,  or  parasites.  They  win  their  way 
into  your  good  graces,  by  fawning  flattery.  They  have 
nothing  else  to  recommend  them.  And,  if  you  trust 
them,  you  are  sure  to  be  deceived.  The  more  lavish  a 
young  man  is,  in  his  compliments,  the  more  likely  he  is 
to  be  a  deceiver.  The  genuine  admirer,  of  female 
beauty  and  worth,  gives  evidence  of  his  admiration 
otherwise,  than  by  winning  words.  True  love  has  a 
tendency  to  subdue  the  heart,  and  silence   the   tongue. 

But,  it  is  true,  girlhood-life  must  be  seasoned  with 
some  romantic  features.  Romance  is  peculiar  to  their 
age  and  sex.  It  is  the  romantic  period  of  life.  They 
live,  and  long  for  something  outside  the  ordinary  events 
of  life.  They  look,  and  listen  with  beating  hearts  for 
the  wonderful  wave,  which  shall  mysteriously  waft  them 
a  handsome  fortune  to  the  shore.  But,  girls,  only  keep 
your  lives  pure  and  sweet ;  and  mirth  will  find  its  own 
melody,  sorrow  seek  its  legitimate  solace  and  romance 
revel  in  the  realms  of  the  true,  the  beautiful  and  the 
good. 

Social  customs  separate  our  girls  and  boys  too  much. 
Brothers  and  sisters  should  share  the  same  joys  and 
sorrows.  Their  incentives  to  virtue  should  be  the  sam^. 
They  should  be  brought  up  under  the  same  standard  of 


56  DUPES    OF    FASHION. 

morality.  They  should  be  educated  together.  Their 
hopes  should  be  mutual.  The  same  moral  lessons 
should  be  taught  them,  since  the  same  moral  obligations 
rest  upon  them.  They  are  permitted  to  associate  to- 
gether in  the  follies,  and  frivolities  of  time.  Then,  why, 
we  ask,  should  they  be  separated,  in  the  more  important 
departments  of  their  preparation  for  life's  honored  mis- 
sions ?  Here  is  where  their  influence  over  each  other, 
under  proper  restrictions  and  instructions,  would  be 
most  benign  and  beneficial.  The  male,  and  female  in- 
terests interlock  at  all  ages  ;  and  their  lives,  and  loves 
overlap  each  other,  in  after  years.  Hence,  they  ought 
to  grow  up  together,  with  interests,  all  the  while,  closely 
identified,  and  feeling  that  neither  could  live  without 
the  other. 

Girls,  do  not  be  the  dupes  of  fashion.  Never  become 
her  slaves.  Bow  not  before  her  shameless  shrine.  She 
demands  entirely  too  much  of  the  precious  time,  and 
talents  of  her  devotees.  And,  upon  her  merciless  altar 
lies  too  much  of  faded  beauty ;  too  many  buried  oppor- 
tunities, and  too  many  worse  than  wasted  lives.  Only 
serve  at  her  shrine,  and  she  will  soon  brush  the  peach 
bloom  from  your  cheeks,  and  leave  you  fair,  but  feeble 
flowers,  to  fade,  before  the  sun  of  life  shall  have  reached 
its  meridian  glory.  At  her  altar,  the  eyes,  which  now 
sparkle  with  merriment,  will  soon  lose  their  luster,  and 
grow  dull  and  languid.  The  hearts,  now  buoyant  and 
free,  will  have  lost,  ere  long,  their  wonted  hope ;  and 
lie  lifeless,  in  the  arms  of  despair.  The  silly,  simpering 
daughter,  of  fashion,  feeds  upon  its  follies,  and  is  soon 
as  fickle,  and  foolish  as  the  food  upon  which  she  feasts. 
Girls,  do  not  thus  dance,  thoughtlessly,  along  down  the 


GUILELESS    GIRLS.  57 

line  of  life,  until  all  is  lost.  But,  have  some  serious, 
sober,  solemn  thoughts  of  life  and  liberty.  Awake  to 
the  higher  interests  of  body,  mind  and  soul ;  and  live 
for  all  there  is  in  life. 

A  few  fleeting  years  will  find  many  of  the  artless, 
guileless  girls  of  to-day,  who  kneel  at  fashion's  shrine, 
the  pale,  peevish,  or,  perchance,  pensive  belles  of  to- 
morrow, who,  by  and  by,  will  be  among  the  many 
sacrifices  offered  to  the  goddess  of  fashion,  rather  than 
among  the  useful,  and  honored  matrons,  and  mothers  of 
the  land.  The  world  need:  more  healthy,  handsome, 
heroic  women ;  and  fewer  listless,  languid,  lazy  mis- 
tresses and  invalids.  Let  our  gay,  and  gallant  girls 
have  a  chance  to  make  worthy  wives  and  honored 
mothers. 

Girls  too  often  dance,  light-hearted,  along  the  line  of 
life,  little  dreaming  that  the  earth  is  hollow  beneath 
their  wayward  feet,  until  some  deep  grief  shakes,  to  its 
center,  the  sandy  foundation,  upon  which  their  vain 
hopes  of  happiness  have  been  resting,  then  they  begin 
to  see  life  in  its  true  light.  Sorrow  brings  them  to  their 
senses.  Then  they  begin  walking  watchfully,  and 
weighing  worthily  all  the  thoughts,  words  and  actions 
which  make  life,  to  them,  a  grand,  and  glorious  reality. 
Then  they  can  sing: 

"  Life  is  real,  life  is  earnest  ; 

And  the  grave  is  not  its  goal : 
Dust  thou  art,  to  dust  returnest, 

Was  not  spoken  of  the  soul." 

Girls,  take  care  of  your  health.  It  is  the  mainspring 
of  life.     Health  once  gone,  and  life  is  almost  worthless. 


58  HEALTH    IS    HAPPINESS. 

It  is  an  empty  dream,  a  baseless  fabric  or  a  hopeless 
vision.  Health  is  happiness.  They  go  hand  in  hand, 
with  heart  knit  to  heart.  There  can  be  but  little  health 
without  happiness,  and  less  happiness  without  health. 
At  least,  this  is  the  rule ;  there  may  be  exceptions. 
Health  is  wealth,  which  may  be  retained  or  lost ;  but 
can  seldom  be  regained,  when  once  squandered.  But, 
girls,  if  you  would  be  useful,  and  happy  in  your  gener- 
ation, you  must  take  care  of  your  health.  Yours  is  the 
most  critical  period  in  life.  There  is  more  danger  of 
sowing  the  seeds  of  disease,  and  death  now,  than  at 
any  other  period  in  your  histories.  Do  not  hazard  your 
health,  or  jeopardize  your  lives  for  the  fashions,  and 
follies  of  society,  so  called.  Only  use  the  far-seeing 
sagacity,  peculiar  to  your  sex,  and  save  yourselves  the 
sorrows  of  years,  or  the  silence  of  somber  tombs. 

Girls,  take  plenty  of  out-door  exercise.  It  will  do 
you  good.  Happy,  romping,  frolicsome  girls !  let  them 
out  into  the  open  air  and  bright  sunshine  ;  and,  then, 
listen  to  them  laugh,  and  sing,  and  shout  for  joy. 
Heaven  pity  the  pale-faced,  hollow-eyed  girls  of  our 
country!  They  have  limbs,  and  lungs,  and  latent 
energies,  the  proper  development  of  which  absolutely 
demands  out-door  exercise,  which  would  soon  bring  the 
peach  bloom  to  the  cheek,  and  merriment  to  the  eye. 
Their  bodies  want  to  be  strong  and  vigorous,  as  well  as 
beautiful  and  attractive.  So  snap  the  cords,  loose  the 
fetters,  and  give  them  liberty  to  walk  and  work,  run  and 
ride  to  their  hearts'  content.  Girls  should  be  given  a 
great  deal  of  freedom.  They  should  share  the  bright 
sunshine  with  their  brothers.  They  should  breathe  the 
pure  air,  bathe  in  the  crystal  streams,  and  romp  over 


6 


OUT-DOOR    EXERCISE. 
(See  page  58,) 


HEARTS    LIKE    HARPS.  59 

the  rich  meadows,  and  through  the  favorite  forests,  until 
they  are  strong,  and  vigorous  in  body  and  mind. 

Girls,  sing.  There  is  much  latent  power  in  your  sweet 
voices.  Cultivate  well  your  musical  talents,  be  they 
large  or  small.  Hearts,  without  music,  are  like  harps, 
without  strings.  They  are  powerless  to  melt,  or  move 
the  hearts  of  others.  Music  will  add  much  to  your  own 
happiness,  as  well  as  to  the  enjoyment  of  those  around 
you.  All  hearts  are  open  to  the  sweet  influences  of 
song.  The  melody  of  music  intensifies  the  strongest 
sentiments  of  the  soul ;  and  gives  additional  power  to 
the  most  potent  truths  of  the  Gospel.  Then  cultivate 
your  voices  carefully ;  and  use  them  frequently,  and 
freely  for  the  good  of  others.  Set  your  daily  deeds  to 
the  music  of  cheerful  hearts,  and  seek  to  round  out 
your  lives  into  anthems  of  melody,  the  influences  of 
which  will  be  perennial,  like  the  music  of  the  spheres, 
and  not  evanescent,  like  the  voice  of  the  singer.  When 
you  sing,  remember  there  must  be  soul,  as  well  as  sound 
and  sense  in  your  songs,  to  give  them  perfect  power. 

The  music,  to  which  you  must  listen  while  the  years 
roll  by,  will  be  but  the  pulse-beatings  from  your  own 
hearts  and  lives.  If  this  music  be  discordant,  rather 
than  harmonious,  it  must  be  the  moan  of  memories 
marred  by  sin  and  blackened  with  crime.  There  are 
griefs  which  leave  blanks,  blacker  than  death  itself,  in 
the  realm  of  devoted  affection.  Yet,  the  fire  of  trial  is 
the  gateway  to  life.  There  is  a  grief  which  opens  the 
door  of  the  heart,  and  lets  its  imprisoned  music  flow  out, 
full  and  free,  from  a  responsive  soul.  Some  of  earth's 
sweetest  songs  have  been  sung,  amid  the  saddest  sur- 
roundings of  life.      Many  of  your  deepest  joys  may  be 


6o  FORM    AND    FEATURE. 

the  offsprings  of  your  bitterest  sorrows.  Our  brightest 
days  are  often  the  legacy  bequeathed  us  by  our  darkest 
nights.  The  hidden  wealth  of  our  own  hearts  is  never 
known,  until  touched  to  tenderness  by  the  sore  environ- 
ments of  life;  and  we  enter  upon  the  self-sacrificing 
ministrations  of  consecrated  love. 

Pretty  girls,  beauty  of  face  is  not  found  in  form  alone ; 
but,  also,  in  feature.  In  fact,  there  is  really  more  beau- 
ty in  the  fascinating  features  of  a  lovely  face,  than  there 
is  in  its  faultless  form.  Many  an  ill-formed  face  is  ra- 
dient  with  beauty  and  loveliness;  while  many,  faultless 
in  form,  are  failures  because  of  their  fickle,  or  forlorn 
expressions.  So,  you  see,  you  may  make,  or  mar  your 
own  beauty.  If  always  neat,  and  nice,  some  one  will 
think  you  sweet  and  pretty.  The  little  miss,  with  a 
homely  face,  who  lights  it  up  with  loving  smiles,  we 
soon  learn  to  admire.  And,  if  she  graces  her  uncomely 
form,  with  charming  manners,  we  will  soon  welcome  her 
to  our  society,  as  a  child  of  beauty.  But  the  silly,  little 
lass,  who  betrays  her  ill-will,  and  ignorance  at  the  ex- 
pense of  her  lovely  face  and  lovelier  form,  is  sure  soon 
to  be  seen  as  a  simpering  simpleton,  who  sits  and  gig- 
gles, and  sighs  and  wriggles,  until  her  beauty  all  melts 
away  from  our  vision,  like  the  mists  of  the  morning, 
before  the  rising  sun.  Hence  those,  who  are  constantly 
under  the  benign  influences  of  kind  feelings  and  gener- 
ous impulses,  acquire  beauty  of  the  highest  order  and 
purest  mold.  Beauty  of  form  catches  the  careless  eye ; 
but  beauty  of  feature  wins,  and  holds  the  honest  heart. 
Girls,  with  fairest  faces  and  faultless  forms,  ought  to  have 
features  which  would  make  them  models  of  beauty,  and 
gems  of  gold  in  their  social  circles, 


GEMS  OF  GOLD.  6  I 

The  beautiful  young  girl  just  blooming  into  woman- 
hood, rosy  in  health  and  innocent  in  heart,  winning  in 
her  ways  and  lovely  in  her  life,  with  grace  of  form 
and  grandeur  of  soul,  is,  indeed,  an  object  of  admira- 
tion. How  natural,  that  men  should  admire  girlhood- 
life;  and  compliment  it  with  grateful  praises,  and 
crown  it  with  angelic  honors.  But,  girlhood's  years 
are  full  of  weakness.  The  germs  of  its  future  strength, 
and  greatness  have  not,  as  yet,  been  fully  developed. 
Its  character  is  still  in  the  formative  period.  It  is 
barely  out  of  the  embryonic  state.  Only  the  elements 
of  grandeur  are  yet  to  be  seen  in  the  soul.  These 
valuable  stones  must  be  converted  into  diamonds,  and 
cemented  into  unity  of  purpose,  before  the  great  work 
of  developing  the  weakness  of  girlhood-life,  into  the 
wisdom  of  woman-hood's  maturer  years,  are  accom- 
plished. 

Girls,  always  have  something  to  wear,  when  you 
want  to  go  anywhere.  If  it  is  only  a  neat  calico 
dress  ;  and  the  best  you  can  afford,  wear  it  without  a 
word  of  complaint.  Some  girls,  with  a  number  of  hats 
and  hozen,  boots  and  bonnets,  fans,  frocks  and  flounces, 
and  jackets,  jerseys  and  jewels  will  declare,  most  em- 
phatically, that  they  have  nothing,  at  all,  to  wear.  If 
you  have  neat,  clean  garments  which  are  comfortable, 
you  are  well  clad,  and  should  be  thankful.  We  love 
to  see  girls  handsomely  dressed,  if  they  can  afford  it, 
and  appear  unconscious  of  their  plumage.  But  if 
their  finery  gives  them  the  peacock-strut,  or  the  aristo- 
cratic air  of  silly,  simpering  simpletons,  we  had  much 
rather  see  them  in  neat  calico  frocks,  with  level  heads 
and  loving  hearts.     The  most  important  outfit,  for  any 


62  THE    GIGGLING    GIRL. 

young  lady  to  wear,  is  that  which  makes  her  most  inter- 
esting, and  attractive  to  the  masses  with  whom  she 
associates. 

Girls  have  some  characteristics,  which  are  peculiar  to 
their  age  and  sex.  They  are  nearly  always  quaint,  but 
quick,  in  their  investigations.  With  their  intuitive,  and 
instinctive  natures  they  often  reach  the  most  distant 
conclusions  at  a  bound.  They  are  naturally  either  gen- 
tle and  modest,  or  fierce,  and  relentless  in  their  disposi- 
tions. If  they  love,  they  will  listen,  and  be  loyal  until 
death  :  but,  if  they  hate,  they  will  harrass,  and  be  hate- 
ful while  they  have  breath.  When  angry  they  will  cry, 
and  fight  like  tigers ;  but,  if  in  a  good  humor  they  will 
fear  and  tremble  before  their  liege  lords,  like  lambs  be- 
fore a  lion.  They  too  often  "weave  Penelope's  web." 
They  destroy  with  one  hand,  what  is  being  wrought 
with  the  other. 

Girls,  do  not  giggle.  It  is  simple.  It  is  silly.  It  is 
superficial.  It  is  disagreeable.  It  is  detestable.  It  is 
disgusting.  Smile  if  you  are  amused ;  and  laugh,  if 
you  are  tickled ;  but  do  not  giggle,  giggle,  giggle,  like 
silly  little  simpletons,  at  everything,  and  everybody 
you  see,  when  there  is  no  cause  for  mirth.  The  gig- 
gling girl  simply  renders  herself  ridiculous,  reprehen- 
sible and  repugnant  to  all  good  people.  She  might  as 
well  use  slang,  which  is  low,  vulgar  and  vile,  as  to  gig- 
gle>  giggle>  giggle  and  hope  to  be  respected,  and  loved 
by  the  true,  and  the  good  of  earth. 

The  girls  of  to-day  will  be  young  ladies,  and  society 
belles  of  to-morrow.  Let  us  hope  that  they  will  do 
much  to  elevate  the  social  circle,  refine  its  follies  and 
adorn  its  virtues.     But  to  do  this,  their  lives  must  be 


THE  POETIC  AGE. 
(Setpag«fe) 


THE  IDEAL  IS  OFTEN  THE  REAL.  63 

the  language  of  souls,  budding,  and  blooming  with  the 
matchless    beauties   of  intrinsic  worth  and  merit. 

Girlhood  is  the  poetic  age  of  life.  Girls  are  the 
poetry  of  our,  otherwise,  prosy  race.  Like  poetry,  they 
are  wont  to  deal  largely  with  the  ideal,  rather  than 
with  the  real.  They  are  imaginative  creatures.  The 
reality  is  likely  to  be,  but  the  shadow  of  their  ideal. 
They  are  over  sanguine  ;  and  seldom  reach  their  ideal 
in  this  life.  Their  ideal  usually  implies  perfection ;  but, 
the  real,  of  earth,  is  always  imperfect.  Their  poetic 
minds  paint  pictures  that,  far,  surpass  the  master  pieces 
of  artistic  skill.  Their  poetic  muses  soar  toward  ideal 
poems  ;  but,  their  most  gifted  geniuses  never  reach  the 
coveted  goal.  The  sweetest  sonnets,  by  mortals  sung, 
are  but  the  faint  echoes  of  the  heavenly  melodies  which 
fill,  and  thrill  their  musical  hearts,  in  the  happy  dreams 
of  their  ideal  songs.  But,  fortunately  for  our  girls,  the 
ideal  is  often  spiritual;  and,  in  this  sense,  becomes  the 
most  real  thing  in  existence.  Hence,  poetry  is  a  friend 
to  religion ;  and  lends  helping  hands,  in  the  persons  of 
her  representatives.  This  ideal  element,  in  poetry,  is 
what  moves  girls  so  readily,  to  make  the  most  of  this 
life.  The  ideal  has  a  tendency  to  elevate  the  affections, 
and  hence,  to  refine  the  feelings,  and  purify  the  hearts 
of  those  who  run  toward  its  goal. 

Girls  are  naturally  fond  of  poetry.  Give  a  lovely 
girl  a  lovely  poem,  and  it  is  two  kindred  spirits  well 
met.  It  is  extremely  fortunate  for  our  girls  that  the 
fountains  of  the  poetical  muse  are  open  to  them ;  and 
that  they  so  much  enjoy  the  melody  of  his  sacred  songs. 
Poetry  is  the  music  of  the  soul.  It  is  virtue's  stand- 
ard bearer.     And,  as  it  comes,  fresh   dripping  from  the 


64  THE    POWER    OF    POETRY. 

pen  of  some  learned  bard,  it  stirs  the  deepest  emo- 
tions of  the  heart,  fires  the  finest  affections  of  our 
fallen  natures,  and  awakes,  within  the  drooping  soul, 
the  living  lyre  of  immortality. 

Poetry  is  the  music  that  charms  the  race,  the  god- 
dess that  enchants  the  world.  Its  silver  streams 
empty  into  the  great  ocean  of  thought,  to  brighten 
and  gladden  the  hearts  of  all  those  who  come  to  its 
waters  to  slake  their  thirst. 

Poetry  is  not  merely  palatable,  but  sweet  to  the 
taste  of  every  class  of  readers.  The  lover  could  dream 
life  away,  in  poetry  that  feeds  the  affections.  The 
patriotic  heart  swells  with  every  chorus  eulogistic  of 
its  country's  greatness.  The  Philanthropist  peruses, 
with  pleasure  and  increased  hospitality,  every  poem 
he  finds  on  benevolence.  The  true  penitent  mourns 
the  close  of  every  lay  divine,  which  lightens  the  bur- 
den of  his  aching  heart.  The  literary  world  enjoys 
no  such  feast,  else  where,  as  the  brighter  scintillations 
of  poetic  visions.  Nor  does  the  Christian  feed  on  any 
richer  repast,  outside  the  Bible,  than  from  the  heaven- 
assisted  bard. 

He  who  traces  the  consoling  lines  of  Young,  in  his 
Night  Thoughts  on  Life,  Death  and  Immortality,  must 
feel,  anew,  the  wellings  of  virtue  in  the  heart.  He 
who  listens  to  the  humble  strains  of  Pollock,  in  his 
Course  of  Time,  will,  with  him,  exclaim  "time  gone 
the  righteous  saved,  the  wicked  damned  and  God's 
eternal  government  approved."  He  who  ponders  the 
writings  of  Cowper,  the  sweet  poet  and  devout 
Christian,  will  be  touched  with  a  sacred  reverence  for 
that  immortal    song,    which    "sounds    Jehovah's    name 


JOYS    OF    THE   JOURNEY.  65 

abroad,  and  pours  his  praise  along."  He  who  follows 
the  almost  unbounded  imagination  of  Milton,  in  his 
Paradise  Lost,  will  have  grander  conceptions  of  the 
sublime,  the  beautiful,  the  good.  He,  who  imbibes  the 
brilliant  flashes  of  Bryant,  Tennyson,  Read,  and  others, 
must  live  a  purer,  happier,  holier  life.  In  short,  he, 
who  drinks  at  the  cool,  refreshing  springs  of  poetry, 
flooded  as  they  are  with  truth  divine,  must  of  necessity 
rise,  in  his  desires  at  least,  to  the  highest  conception  of 
an  ideal  life. 

Girls,  give  your  hearts  early  to  Jesus,  The  sooner 
you  become  religious,  the  better  it  will  be  for  you. 
You  will  need  Christianity  to  sustain  you  in  all  the 
relations  of  life.  Your  souls  are  sensitive,  and  will 
feel  keenly  the  severing  of  love's  legitimate  ties.  You 
can  find  balm  for  your  aching  hearts  nowhere  else,  save 
in  the  sunshine  of  a  Saviour's  love.  Here,  ministering 
spirits  will  come,  in  the  joys  of  the  journey,  to  lift 
these  light  afflictions  from  the  soul,  and  send  you  on 
your  ways  rejoicing,  in  anticipation  of  the  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory,  which  is  in 
reserve,  for  all  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

Girls,  live  for  all  there  is  worth  living  for  in  life.  Do 
not  give  yourselves,  too  much,  to  worldly  pleasures. 
If  so,  the  world  is  sure  to  bring  disappointments  to  all 
your  transient  hopes,  and  many  sorrows  to  your  aching 
hearts.  It  will  also  add  an  immense  weight  to  the 
weariness  of  your  worn,  and  wasted  forms,  in  the 
decline  of  life.  Then,  do  not  simply  live  for  the  pres-' 
ent,  it  is  too  transient.  It  is  but  a  moment  of  time, 
inter-locking  the  retreating  past  with  the  advancing 
future.     Its  pleasures  are  but  momentary.     Its   praises 


66  THE   PEACEFUL   PARADISE. 

are  the  comforts,  only,  of  an  hour.  And  its  flatteries, 
the  dreams  of  disappointed  love.  Look  hopefully  to 
the  happy  golden  future ;  and  live  largely  for  the 
lovely  life,  which  awaits  the  great,  and  the  good  in  the 
peaceful  paradise  of  God. 


BOYHOOD. 

(See  page  67  J 


BOYHOOD 


Chapter  IV. 


I'm  a  boy,  it  is  true ;  but,  I'll  do  all  I  can, 
To  make  folks  believe,  I'm  a  brave  little  man. 


J|  OYHOOD  is  life  on  the  wing.     It 
is  life  in  its  buoyancy.     It  is  life 


bouncing  up  and  down,  and 
bounding  along  the  track  of  time, 
like  an  India  rubber  ball  on  the 
play  -  ground.  Boyhood  is  the 
holiday  of  life.  It  is  the  ro- 
mance of  our  race.  It  is  the  rid- 
dle of  all  ages.  Boyhood  is  life 
on  its  first  limbs.  It  is  life  on  tireless  pinions.  It  is 
life  in  its  smoothest,  swiftest  sailing,  but  barely  launched 
on  the  silvery  sea  of  time.  Boyhood  is  a  ship-yard, 
from  which  bodies  are  being  constantly  launched  out 
upon  the  surging  sea  of  active  life  ;  and  in  which  souls 
ought  to  be  well  equipped  for  the  endless  voyage  of 
life,  across  the  sea  of  time,  and  out  upon  the  boundless 
ocean  of  eternity. 

The  beau-ideal  of  boyhood-life  ranges  from  eight  to 

twelve  years  of  age.     During  this  period,  it  is  usually 

(67) 


68  SOWING    AND    REAPING. 

invested  with  its  wildest  charms,  and  clothed  with  its 
deepest  mysteries.  We  often  wonder  what  the  boy  will 
be — what  manner  of  man  he  will  make — as  his  heedless 
life,  like  a  silver  rill,  runs  merrily  along  its  winding  way 
toward  the  sea  of  sober  years.  But  we  can  not  see  far 
enough,  into  his  future  life,  to  even  surmise  in  reference 
to  his  fame  or  fortune,  his  weal  or  woe. 

Boys,  you  are  now  in  the  spring  time  of  life.  The 
precious  gift  of  time  is  in  your  hands  ;  but  its  golden 
moments  are  borne  past  you,  on  its  own  swift  and  tire- 
less wings :  and  its  opportunities  go,  with  its  passing 
moments,  to  return  no  more.  If  you  would  draw 
largely  from  life's  bank,  when  you  are  older,  you  must 
deposit  liberally,  while  you  are  young.  For,  he,  who 
puts  nothing  into  this  bank,  can  draw  nothing  out.  It 
is  the  liberal  soul,  that  is  bountifully  fed;  and  the 
waterer,  that  drinks  full  draughts  from  life's  crystal 
streams.  You  must  sow,  if  you  would  reap;  and  your 
reaping  will  be  after  the  character  of  your  sowing.  If 
you  would  find  satisfaction  in  the  beauty,  strength  and 
symmetry  of  the  character  you  build,  there  must  be  a 
good  foundation,  and  an  honest,  industrious  workman. 
The  early  years,  of  life,  are  the  corner-stones,  of  all  the 
years  to  follow.  Then,  curb  all  carnal  desires ;  and  cul- 
tivate all  the  generous,  and  noble  aspirations  of  the 
soul;  and  your  boyhood  virtues  will  richly  adorn  your 
royal  characters  through  life. 

Boys,  you  are  now  rowing,  sportively,  over  the  placid 
sea  of  a  mother's  love.  Your  frail  barks  are  being 
guided,  successfully,  through  the  breakers,  of  your 
youthful  years,  by  a  father's  skillful  hand.  But,  by  and 
by,  you   must   sail  out,  through  the  rushing  rapids  of 


SAFETY    AND    SUCCESS.  69 

the  rolling  river  of  self-support,  into  the  great  ocean  of 
active,  energetic  life,  beyond  thes  cenes,  and  sorrows  of 
boyhood's  years.  Then  you  must  stand  at  the  helm, 
and  steer  your  own  vessels,  as  they  stem  the  tides,  or 
drift  before  the  storms  of  life's  trying  realities.  You 
will,  then,  be  commanding  your  own  ships.  Upon  your 
skill,  and  discretion  will  depend,  largely,  the  safety,  and 
success  of  the  eventful  voyage  of  time.  Then,  study- 
well  the  chart  of  life.  Reject  passion,  as  a  pilot.  Place 
hope  at  the  helm,  with  a  firm  grasp.  Counsel  the  ex- 
perience of  age.  Seek  divine  guidance.  Shun  the 
wrecks,  which  have  gone  down,  upon  the  rocks  of 
skepticism  and  infidelity;  and,  with  main  masts  stream- 
ing in  the  breeze,  and  white  sails  floating  in  the  winds, 
your  ships  will  ride  triumphantly  into  the  heavenly 
harbor,  at  last,  amid  the  welcome  hosannas,  and  sweet 
hallelujahs  of  the  saints,  and  angels  in  glory. 

Use  boyhood's  days,  as  a  watch-tower  from  which  to 
look  out  upon  the  world,  as  an  interested  spectator,  and 
listen,  and  learn  its  great  lessons  of  light  and  love. 
You  are  now  forming  characters  upon  which  your  future 
manhood  must  be  built,  if  built  at  all.  Then  rear, 
within  these  fleeting  years,  monuments  which  will  defy 
the  ravages  of  time.  Live  with  a  steady,  stalwart  aim 
in  view.  Dispatch,  with  a  noble  daring,  whatever  you 
find  worth  doing ;  and  leave  that  which  is  worthless  to 
the  idlers,  and  dreamers  along  life's  highway.  Your 
lives  are  in  your  own  hands.  They  will  be,  largely, 
what  you  make  them.  The  warp  of  life  has  been 
placed  around  the  loom-beam  for  you  ;  but  you  must 
weave   in  the   woof   yourselves.     You   must  tramp  the 

treadles,  with  your  own   feet,  and   throw  the  shuttles, 

7 


7<D  A    FIRM    FOUNDATION. 

with  your  own  hands.  The  warp  of  life  has  been 
given ;  but  you  are  furnishing  your  own  woof.  The 
pattern  has  been  left  you ;  but  you  are  coloring  its 
figures,  to  suit  your  own  tastes,  and  making  its  beauty, 
after  your  own  liking.  Then,  bring  to  your  assistance 
arms  strong  for  the  right ;  working  hands,  and  willing 
hearts,  in  the  conflicts  of  life  ;  and  live,  with  eyes  upon 
the  dignity  of  your  present  existence,  and  with  hearts 
hopeful  of  the  grandeur,  and  glory  of  your  future  des- 
tiny. And,  so  living,  success  will  crown  your,  every, 
worthy  effort,  and  solace  be  the  surcease  of  all  your 
earthly  sorrows. 

Boys,  grow.  You  must  grow,  if  you  ever  make 
men.  You  must  grow  larger,  grow  wiser,  and  grow 
better.  There  must  be  mental,  and  moral  development, 
as  well  as  physical  growth,  if  you  ever  amount  to  much 
in  the  world.  To  be  capable  in  business,  you  must 
cultivate  your  mental  faculties.  To  be  loved,  and  hon- 
ored in  society,  you  must  develop  your  moral  forces. 
And,  to  be  truly  good,  and  great  in  the  world,  you  must 
enlarge  your  spiritual  powers.  There  must  be  a  four- 
fold growth  in  order  to  reach  the  highest,  and  holiest 
type  of  manhood.  Growth,  culture,  development  is  the 
order  of  the  day — the  demand  of  the  times  in  which 
you  live.  And,  the  boy,  who  fails  to  grow,  will  also  fail 
to  go  to  positions  of  trust  and  honor.  Success  will  not 
crown  the  efforts  of  his  life.  Neither  will  a  rich  reward 
await  him  in  the  glory  land. 

Boyhood's  years  are  the  preparation  period,  for  the 
great  mission  of  life.  This  is  the  time  to  lay  a  firm, 
and  faultless  foundation  upon  which  to  erect  a  magnifi- 
cent edifice  in  after  years.      A  failure,  here,  may  blast 


TRIALS    AND    TROUBLES.  7 1 

every  fond  hope  for  the  future,  and  destroy,  as  with  a 
withering  simoon  of  sin,  all  the  high  and  holy  aspira- 
tions of  life. 

Preparation  is  the  price  of  success  in  life.  Well 
trained  boys  are  as  sure  to  succeed,  as  a  well  inflated 
balloon  is  to  rise,  when  the  ropes  are  cut.  Their  ten- 
dencies are  upwards  ;  and  when  opportunities  present 
themselves,  they  must  rise.  The  boys,  who  pave  their 
own  way  to  success,  will  make  the  men,  who  will  win 
the  prizes  in  the  prime  of  life. 

Boyhood's  golden  opportunities  are  on  the  wing. 
They  will  soon  sail  past.  Whatever  is  done,  to  improve 
them,  must  be  done  quickly;  for  time  is  fleeting. 
There  is  a  germ  in  every  boy's  soul,  which,  if  properly 
cultured,  will  bud,  and  bloom,  and  blossom  into  a  being 
of  eternal  beauty.  But,  if  no  preparation,  then  no 
prestige  ;  and,  if  no  prestige,  then,  no  pre-eminence 
among  the  children  of  men.  Boys  should  stretch  their 
limbs,  and  test  their  muscles,  freely,  in  preparation  for 
the  race  of  life.  When  manhood  begins  to  dawn,  upon 
such  a  youth,  his  muscles  will  become  more  solid,  his 
mind  more  masterly,  and  his  voice,  losing  the  feminine, 
will  assume  a  masculine  tone,  which  indicates  the  pres- 
ence of  the  nobler  qualities  of  manhood. 

Boys  have  their  trials  and  troubles,  in  which  are 
imaged  forth  the  sterner  struggles,  and  sorer  conflicts 
of  after-life.  These  early  trials  are  essential  to  the 
proper  development  of  youthful  characters.  They  open 
the  way,  also,  to  the  earlier  manifestations  of  wisdom, 
and  worth  upon  the  part  of  our  boys.  And  they  are 
constantly  opening  wider,  and  still  wider,  the  portals  of 
their  young  hearts,  so  that  the  rich  jewels  of  their  souls 


*J2  BURDENED    BOYS. 

shine  forth  from  their  hidden  depths,  shedding  their 
brilliant  luster  upon  the  world,  which  stands  waiting,  for 
their  light,  and  their  blessings. 

Boys  should  not  be,  prematurely,  bowed  down  with 
the  burdens  of  life.  Fit  the  yoke  to  their  years  ;  and 
they  will  wear  it  willingly.  Task  them,  according  to 
their  time  of  life,  and  they  will  turn  every  day  to  good 
account.  But,  burden  a  boy,  unmercifully,  and  the 
haunts  of  the  idler,  with  the  lounge  of  the  loafer,  will 
be  his  fancied  paradise.  He  will  envy  every  silly  son  of 
pleasure  he  chances  to  meet.  His  dreams,  by  night, 
and  his  reveries,  by  day,  will  all  lead  him  in  the  direction 
of  a  vague,  indefinite,  aimless  life. 

But,  boys  ought  to  learn  to  work,  if  they  can  not  learn 
to  love  it.  Activity  is  evidently  essential  to  their  con- 
tinued health  and  happiness.  Disease  is  at  home,  in 
sluggish  blood  and  motionless  muscles.  There  is  no 
place  in  political  economy;  or  moral  science  for  laziness, 
levity  or  licentiousness.  They  are  the  triplet  offsprings 
of  idleness.  Time  is  on  the  wings  of  the  winds,  and  he 
who  would  grind  his  grist,  by  it,  must  set  the  mill-sails 
at  once.  For,  the  loafer  shall  have  no  loaf;  and  the 
laggard  shall  lose  the  race.  Neither  the  wise,  nor  the 
wealthy  can  help  him,  who  will  not  help  himself.  So, 
give  your  boys  good  tools  ,  and  put  them  to  work,  and 
they  will  soon  take  pride  in  doing  their  work  well. 
They  will  soon  be  self-supporting.  But,  they  must  not 
be  too  heavily  tasked,  or  over-taxed,  lest  they  tire  of  it, 
and  rebel  against  you.  In  every  vocation  of  life,  the 
agent  should  be  well  suited  to  the  action  ;  and  the  work 
to  the  workman. 

Boys  are  imaginative  creatures.      They  are   always 


GREAT,    AND    GRAND    THINGS.  J$ 

building  castles  in  the  air.  They  imagine  they  will  do 
great,  and  grand  things,  when  they  get  to  be  men. 
We  hope  some  of  them  will ;  for  there  are  many  such 
things  which  ought  to  be  done.  Boys,  let  the  imagina- 
tion play.  Give  her  full  scope,  and  let  her  sail.  Lend 
her  wings,  and  let  her  soar  aloft,  like  the  proud  eagle, 
and  let  her  sing  as  she  soars.  And,  if  her  muse  makes 
music  for  the  world,  by  and  by,  just  let  the  world,  en- 
tranced, stop  and  listen  at  her  siren  song,  so  sweetly 
sung.  It  is  perfectly  natural  that  the  glow  of  youthful 
hopes  should,  in  the  morning  of  life's  promising  day, 
make  bright  the  coming  years,  with  many  deeds  of  noble 
daring,  and  grand  achievements. 

Boys,  be  not  too  anxious  to  know,  what  future  years 
hold  in  store  for  you.  This  intense  desire,  which  people 
possess,  to  lift  the  veil  that  mantles  the  future,  and  force 
forward  the  wheels  of  time  to  some  coveted  data,  is  no 
less  selfish  than  sinful.  God  has  wisely  ordered,  that 
we  should  walk  in  the  light  of  the  present,  and  the 
knowledge  of  the  past,  leaving  the  darkness  of  our 
futures  to  their  own  developments.  He  has  promised 
joy  and  gladness,  all  along  the  line  of  life.  And  it  is 
ours  to  work,  as  well  as  watch,  while  we  wait  patiently 
for  his  blessings,  from  time  to  time.  The  dark  problems 
of  duty,  and  the  still  darker  problems  of  destiny  are 
solved  only  in  the  light  of  revelation.  Faith  in  the 
Gospel  gives  us  light  enough  for  the  future.  But,  boys, 
do  not  hasten  to  be  men.  Give  yourselves  plenty  of 
time  to  mature  into  manhood,  ere  you  desert  the  ranks 
of  youth,  and  the  files  of  boyhood-life. 

Boys,  the  first  false  step  is  the  most  fatal  step  in  life. 
Early  departures  from  the  path  of  rectitude  may  be  as 


74  THE    FIRST    FALSE    STEP. 

silent,  and  slow  as  the  creeping  shadows  on  the  sun- 
dials, yet  they  are  the  first  movings  of  a  mighty  ava- 
lanche of  sin,  which,  if  not  stayed  by  divine  power,  will 
bury  your  souls  beneath  an  eternal  weight  of  woe. 
Your  young  lives  should  be  perfectly  free  from  loafing, 
late  suppers,  midnight  dissipations  and  all  manner  of 
bad  morals.  Avoid  the  first  steps,  which  lead  to  all 
these  excesses  in  sin.  Cigarettes,  cigars  and  saloons 
seldom  lead  to  success  in  life ;  but  often  prevent  it. 
Tobacco  burns  up  a  boy's  future  capital ;  and  strong 
drink  destroys  his  hard-earned  fortune,  be  it  great  or 
small.  Sin,  like  a  swiftly  flowing  river,  will  bear  you 
rapidly  down  stream,  when  once  upon  its  heaving 
bosom ;  and  the  farther  you  go,  the  less  likely  you  are 
ever  to  return.  And,  the  violator  of  moral  law  can  find 
no  exemption  from  its  penalty,  except  by  miracle,  so 
long  as  mind  manifests  itself  through  the  medium  of 
matter. 

Boys,  do  not  form  bad  habits.  They  are  costly  and 
hurtful.  They  are  dangerous  and  demoralizing.  The 
cigar,  or  cigarette,  costs  more  than  a  good  periodical. 
The  wine  cup  is  more  expensive  than  a  large  library. 
And,  the  time  wasted,  loafing,  would  soon  make  a  first- 
class  scholar  of  you  ;  and  give  you  an  honorable  position 
in  the  world. 

But,  these  habits  are  pernicious.  They  are  also  very 
injurious.  This  is  possibly  the  worst  feature  in  the 
case.  Smoking  is  a  terrible  shock  to  the  nervous 
system — a  shock  that  many  persons  can  not  long  endure. 
The  use  of  strong  drink  is  much  more  terrible.  It  not 
only  ruins  health,  but  also  debauches  morals,  dethrones 
reason  and  destroys  its  victims,  soul  and  body.     It  is 


DO  NOT  FORM  BAD  HABITS. 
(See  page  74.) 


CHAINS    AND    CHARMS.  75 

putting  the  case  in  its  mildest  form  to  say,  that  the  use 
of  narcotics  is  a  foolish,  filthy  habit,  which  most  men 
regret  having  acquired ;  and  that  the  use  of  intoxicating 
liquors  is  not  only  demoralizing,  but  also  extremely 
dangerous  to  boys. 

But,  again,  these  habits,  once  formed,  are  often 
stronger  than  the  strongest  wills.  In  fact,  they  seldom 
assert  their  authority,  until  they  have  complete  control 
of  their  subjects.  Their  chains  are  forged,  before  their 
charms  are  felt.  If  you  would  not  be  governed  by  bad 
habits,  then  form  good  ones  ;  for  we  are  all  creatures  of 
habit,  and  there  is  no  neutral  ground  between  the  good 
and  the  bad. 

Boys,  rum  leads  to  ruin.  Its  devotees  soon  become 
prisoners  of  poverty,  and  pensioners  of  want  and  woe. 
Then,  shun  the  drunkard's  bowl,  as  you  would  flee  from 
the  sting  of  the  deadly  viper.  Do  not  suffer  the  purity, 
of  your  boyhood-life,  blasted  by  its  blighting  power  ; 
nor,  the  nobility  of  your  promising  manhood  shadowed 
by  its  withering  curse.  Shun  the  wine  cup,  as  you 
would  the  deadly  fangs  of  the  poisonous  adder. 

Boys,  be  constantly  on  your  guard.  Look  well  to  the 
entrance  to  life's  citadel.  Satan  is  daily  sowing  seed, 
in  every  unguarded  heart.  These  seed  will  spring  up, 
some  day,  and  bring  forth  very  bitter  fruit,  for  your 
souls  to  feast  upon.  It  will  also  prove  very  difficult,  for 
you  to  learn  the  lessons,  which  will  lead  you  to  abandon 
your  evil  habits  in  the  future.  Since,  it  is  much  easier, 
you  had  far  better  avoid  them  in  the  present.  To  do 
this,  you  will  have  to  be  careful  about  the  company  you 
keep.  Seek  the  society  of  the  good,  wherever  you  go ; 
and  you  will  always  find  warm  hearts  waiting  to  welcome 


j6  MORAL    HEROES. 

you  to  happy  homes.  Ever  keep  the  windows  of  your 
souls  turned  heavenward,  if  you  would  have  them  filled 
with  the  joys,  and  flooded  with  the  light  of  life.  And, 
you  will  be  extremely  fortunate,  if  you  enter  manhood 
with  good  habits,  vigorous  health  and  a  fair  knowledge 
of  the  ways  of  the  world. 

Boys,  be  brave.  Be  moral  heroes.  Dare  to  do  the 
right.  March  boldly  to  the  front.  Challenge  your  own 
characters,  and  conduct  to  the  contest  for  success.  Look 
not  to  luck  for  life.  The  wheels  of  fortune  seldom  turn 
a  coward  to  the  top.  Her  fickle  goddess,  fain,  would 
let  him  fall,  lower  and  still  lower,  in  his  follies.  The 
lazy  luck-hunters,  of  the  land,  are  so  many  leeches, 
riding  through  life,  upon  the  bent  back  of  honest  in- 
dustry. You  should  not  crave  wealth ;  unless  you  are 
willing  to  work  for  it.  Fortunes  will  not  be  found  for 
sale,  in  the  great  marts  of  the  future.  They  must  be 
won,  by  the  hands  of  industry  or  the  heads  of  thought. 
Brave  boys  are  the  order  of  the  day — the  wants  of  the 
times.  Not  pugnacious  little  fellows,  who  want  to  fight 
every  boy  they  meet :  but,  little  moral  heroes,  who  have 
the  courage  to  say  no,  when  tempted  to  do  wrong,  and 
fortitude  to  hold  the  fort,  when  they  are  in  the  right,  no 
matter  how  fiercely  it  may  be  besieged  by  the  enemy. 
It  is  a  royal  road  that  leads  to  honor  and  renown. 

Boys,  rely  largely  upon  yourselves.  Depend  much 
upon  your  own  efforts.  Self-reliance  is  absolutely  es- 
sential to  success  in  life.  Conquer  fate,  and  you  have 
won  a  fortune.  For,  fortune's  favorite  heir  is  a  con- 
queror ;  not  a  coward.  It  is  more  manly  to  work,  and 
make,  than  to  wish,  and  wait  for  a  fortune.  Money, 
obtained  by  chance,  comes  easily  and  goes  soon.     Only 


A  VICTIM  OF  BAD  HABITS. 

"  The  boy  who  smokes,  swears,  and  loafs  on  the  street*.' 

(See  page*  74,  75,  and  81.) 


GOOD    ADVICE.  J  J 

those,  who  earn  means,  are  likely  to  keep  them  long. 
In  their  desperate  dashes,  for  fortunes,  some  men  dare 
to  be  boldly  dishonest,  often  involving  their  families  in 
irretrievable  shame  and  dishonor. 

Boys,  allow  me  to  give  you  a  little  good  advice. 
Never  boast  of  your  ancestry.  It  will  be  better,  for 
you  to  live  so,  that  your  descendants  will  be  proud  of 
you.  Select  well  your  words,  if  you  wish  to  say  what 
you  mean  ;  and  never  mock  at  another's  misery,  or  mis- 
fortune. Do  not  follow  after  pleasure,  to  the  neglect  of 
duty.  Those  who  court  her,  exclusively,  lose  their 
reason,  and  are  ruined.  He  who  would  free  himself, 
from  her  vices,  must  stop  his  ears  to  her  siren  songs, 
and  listen  to  the  counsels  of  the  wise. 

Boys,  keep  the  holy  sabbath-day.  Do  not  steal  time 
from  God.  Your  bodies  need  the  rest,  the  sabbath 
brings  ;  and  your  souls  the  religious  influences,  it  exerts 
upon  those  who  keep  it  holy.  There  is  no  necessity  for 
sabbath-breaking  ;  and  no  benefit  to  be  derived  from  its 
desecration.  Deal  fairly,  with  God  and  man.  Do  not 
be  a  fault-finder.  He,  who  is  never  pleased,  seldom 
pleases  others.  Do  not  cover  your  vices,  with  the  sem- 
blance of  virtue  ;  nor  conceal  your  guilt,  with  the  cloak 
of  righteousness.  Be  frank,  and  open  in  all  your 
actions.  Toe  the  mark,  at  all  times.  Never  dodge  an 
issue.  Be  a  manly  little  man  ;  and  face  the  music  of 
life,  like  a  hero  in  the  strife.  It  is  what  a  boy  says  and 
does  ;  and  not  the  estimate  others  place  upon  him,  that 
measures  his  attainments,  and  marks  his  way  up  to 
manhood's  years. 

Boys,  keep  out  of  debt.  Pay  as  you  go,  if  possible. 
But,   if    forced    to  go   in   debt,    meet    your   obligations 


yS  PAY    AS    YOU    GO. 

promptly  ;  or  render  a  reasonable  excuse  for  failure, 
without  being  called  upon  to  do  so  by  your  creditor. 
If  you  owe  a  man,  never  wait  for  him:  to  dun  you.  Be 
first  to  speak  of  it,  when  you  meet  him,  whether  pre- 
pared to  pay  him  or  not.  This  will  relieve  your  own 
embarrassment,  and  hold  the  confidence  of  your  creditor, 
until  you  can  liquidate  the  debt. 

Boys  are  the  material,  out  of  which,  the  men  of  each 
succeeding  generation  are  made.  Every  event,  in  boy- 
hood-life, is  shaping  the  character,  and  fixing  the  destiny 
of  the  coming  man.  The  boys,  of  to-day,  will  be  the 
men  of  to-morrow.  The  future  men,  of  rank  and  in- 
fluence, will  come,  largely,  from  the  humbler  class  of 
boys,  who,  by  the  dint  of  their  own  energies,  will  rise  to 
places  of  honor,  and  distinction  among  men  :  while 
many  of  the  boys,  of  wealthy  and  honorable  parentage, 
will  become  the  degenerate  sons  of  noble  sires.  The 
sons,  of  rich  men,  rarely  ever  hold  the  legacy  left  them, 
for  any  great  length  of  time.  Nor,  do  the  sons,  of 
honored  sires,  often  wear  the  mantles  of  their  fallen 
fathers.  Boys,  if  you  would  rise  to  honorable  distinc- 
tion, cable  yourselves,  firmly,  to  the  pillars  of  truth, 
honesty  and  virtue  :  and,  then,  you  may  cast,  success- 
fully, your  anchors  of  hope  ;  and  rest,  calmly,  amid  the 
storms  of  life,  while  others  go  down  to  rise  no  more. 

Boys,  obey  your  parents.  Obedience  is  the  charm, 
that  warms  all  hearts.  It  binds  together  the  obedient 
and  the  obeyed.  Such  boys  are  kind  to  their  parents. 
They  never  add  one  sorrow  to  their  affectionate  hearts  : 
nor,  one  furrow  to  their  silvered  brows.  Their  conduct, 
toward  them,  is  such,  that  when,  they  are  gone  to  their 
long  homes,  the  memories  of  mother,  and  father  will  be 


FILIAL    OBEDIENCE.  79 

the  sweetest  reminiscences  of  all  the  past.  But,  too 
many  boys  soon  refuse  to  walk,  in  the  sunlight  of  parental 
advice  ;  and  stumble  along,  in  the  moonlight  of  their  own 
beclouded  judgments ;  or  grope  their  way,  in  the  mid- 
night darkness  of  the  evil  counsels  of  others.  My  son, 
honor  your  father,  and  be  affectionate  to  your  mother. 
Anticipate  their  wants ;  and  they  will  be  proud  of  their 
boy.  Deserve  their  confidence  ;  and  you  will  be  sure 
to  have  it.  Love  them ;  and  you  will  share  their  love  in 
return.  Be  obedient  to  their  every  command  ;  and  they 
will  lighten  your  burdens.  The  strongest,  swiftest, 
liveliest  boy,  of  all,  ought  to  bend  his  back,  under  the 
burdens,  and  subject  his  will,  to  the  wishes  of  those 
whose  right  it  is  to  direct  his  ways,  and  assign  his  work, 
from  day  to  day. 

Boys,  love,  and  care  for  your  parents.  This  is  your 
duty.  It  should  be  your  privilege,  and  your  pleasure. 
You  are  under  many,  and  lasting  obligations  to  them. 
You  owe  them  a  debt  of  gratitude,  and  love  that  you 
can  never  pay.  The  older  they  grow,  the  worse  they 
will  need,  and  the  more  they  will  appreciate  your  careful 
attention,  to  their  words  and  wants.  Let  the  silver 
hairs,  and  silent  hopes  of  their  helpless  years  speak 
loudly  to  your  ardent  love,  of  the  parental  care  bestowed 
upon  you,  when  helpless,  dependent  babes.  Then, 
show  your  grateful  appreciation,  of  their  tender  watch- 
care,  by  many  manifestations  of  filial  affection. 

Boys,  never,  so  far,  forget  yourselves  as  to  call  your 
father,  "  the  old  man,"  "  the  esquire  "  or  "the  governor"  ; 
nor  your  mother,  "  the  madam,"  "  the  mistress  "  or  "the 
old  lady."  Such  impudence  is  shamefully  rude.  All 
good    people   will   condemn   your  conduct.      And,  you 


80  KINDNESS    AND    COURTESY. 

may,  some  day,  bitterly  condemn  yourselves,  for  such 
disrespect,  shown  the  fathers  and  mothers  whom  you 
ought  to  honor,  and  revere  until  death. 

Boys,  be  kind  and  courteous  to  your  sisters.  Seek  to 
console  them,  in  the  hours  of  sorrow.  Come  to  their 
rescue,  when  danger  threatens  them.  Assist  them,  in 
times  of  need.  Comfort  them,  at  all  times,  with  your 
courtesies.  Kindness  and  courtesy,  toward  your  sisters, 
will  speak  well  for  you,  boys.  The  world  knows,  that 
the  brother,  who  gives  his  arm  to  a  sister,  as  they  walk 
together,  to  and  from  the  church,  will  never  leave  his 
wife,  to  wend  her  way  home  alone.  It  also  knows,  that 
the  youngster,  who  does  not  see  his  sister  seated,  at 
public  gatherings,  when  without  an  escort,  may  mortify 
his,  neglected,  wife,  and,  perchance,  blush  himself,  to 
see  some  stranger  extend  to  her  the  courtesy,  so  justly 
due  from  her  careless  husband. 

The  devoted  brother,  who  kisses  his  saintly  sister, 
morning  and  night,  as  they  meet  and  part,  will  feel  its 
sacred  influence  upon  his  own  life,  in  after  years.  He 
will  reap  its  golden  fruitage,  when  she  sleeps  beneath 
the  sods  of  the  valley,  and  he  has  taken  a  lovely  wife  to 
his  bosom.  For,  with  a  heart  early  cultured  to  caresses, 
he  will  always  have  an  affectionate  kiss  to  imprint  upon 
her  fair  cheek.  Boys,  these  little  courtesies,  to  your 
sisters,  are  well  calculated  to  soften  your  own  hearts, 
sweeten  your  dispositions  and  greatly  increase  the  do- 
mestic happiness  of  your  after-life. 

The  affectionate  solicitude,  of  a  noble-hearted  brother, 
for  a  loving,  and  appreciative  sister,  is  one  of  the  pretti- 
est scenes  in  boyhood-life.  It  is  an  exhibition  of  one  of 
the  noblest  traits  of  character,  to  be  found  in  the  hearts 


KIND  AND  COURTEOUS  TO  SISTERS. 
(See  page  80.) 


GATHERING    FRAGMENTS.  8 1 

of  the  rising  generation.  The  youth,  who  deserves  to 
be  honored,  with  the  endearing  appellation  of  brother, 
from  the  lips  of  a  loving  sister,  because  of  his  fondness, 
and  fidelity  to  her,  may  well  be  trusted  as  a  lover ;  and 
accepted  as  a  husband,  for  he  will  prove  a  worthy,  and 
devoted  companion  through  life. 

Boys,  stay  at  home.  Spend  your  evenings,  around  the 
hearth-stone.  Anchor  your  hearts,  in  the  home-circle. 
Not  to  do  so,  may  prove  fatal  to  your  best  interests.  It 
would  be  sure  to  rob  you  of  many  happy  hours  and  val- 
uable lessons.  For,  the  home  is  a  school,  for  the  devel- 
opment of  all  the  Christian  graces  and  virtues.  Its 
wholesome  discipline  brings  many  blessings  to  young, 
wayward  hearts.  It  furnishes  the  balm,  which  pours 
consolation  into  young  and  restless  souls.  And,  the 
farther  we  advance,  in  the  science  of  home-life,  the 
larger,  and  lovelier  are  the  lessons  we  learn.  But,  if  the 
home-circle  is  not  what  it  ought  to  be,  constitute  your- 
self a  committee,  of  one,  and  set  yourself  to  work,  to 
bring  about  a  reformation. 

The  boy  who  spends,  simply,  his  leisure  hours,  loafing 
on  the  streets,  is  almost  sure  to  end  his  life  in  sin  and 
shame.  Then,  do  not  stand  around,  on  the  street  cor- 
ners; sit  about,  on  goods-boxes;  loaf,  around  livery 
stables,  or  lounge,  around  saloons.  You  will  learn  but 
little,  that  is  refining,  and  elevating  at  such  places ;  but 
much,  that  is,  both,  degrading  and  demoralizing.  And 
you  will  gradually  become  shabby,  and  slouchy,  like  the 
company  you  keep.  Then,  stay  at  home  of  nights,  and 
improve  all  your  odd  moments.  Gather  up  the  frag- 
ments of  time.  They  are  well  worth  saving.  These 
precious  moments  make  hours  ;   hours  make  days,  and 


82  PERFECT    LITTLE    GENTLEMEN. 

days  make  years.  They  are  all-important  factors,  in  the 
solution  of  life's  great  problem. 

Immortal  destinies  are  couched,  in  the  golden  mo- 
ments of  boyhood-life.  Perilous  dangers  lie  hidden  in 
all  the  by-paths,  over  which  it  trends  its  restless  way. 
Pit-falls  are  beneath  its  feet;  and  halters  above  its  head, 
in  all  its  wayward  journeyings.  Death  hangs,  like  a 
black-winged  vampire,  over  the  future  history  of  all  boys, 
who  turn  their  backs  upon  the  sacred  influence,  of  the 
home-circle,  and  forsake  the  highway  of  holiness. 

Boys,  be  gentle.  Be  civil,  courteous  and  kind  to  every 
body  you  chance  to  meet,  along  the  highway  of  life. 
The  better  class  of  boys  are,  all,  perfect  little  gentle- 
men. Boys,  be  polite.  It  will  make  a  good  impression 
upon  your  own  minds,  manners  and  morals.  A  cheer- 
ful "good  morning"  to  those  you  meet,  in  the  daily  av- 
ocations of  life,  will  prove  a  means  of  grace,  which  will 
make  you  a  better  boy.  It  will  carry  with  it  an  inspira- 
tion, which  will  brighten  your  hopes,  and  lighten  your 
work  for  the  day.  If  you  doubt  it,  just  try  it  for  a  few 
days.  Happy  greetings  make  the  wheels  of  time  run, 
much  more,  smoothly  with  us  all.  Then  let  us  be  kind 
and  courteous,  under  all  the  circumstances  of  life.  These 
little  civilities  and  amities  are  the  secret  avenues,  which 
lead  to  much  of  our  happiness.  Then,  we  should  be 
kind,  and  generous  to  all  we  meet.  The  boy,  whose 
courtesies  win  him  a  welcome  wherever  he  goes,  always 
carries  about,  with  him,  a  heart  full  of  sunshine,  with 
which  to  make  other  hearts  happy.  There  is  a  reflex  in- 
fluence in  gentility.  It  is,  even,  more  blessed  to  give, 
than  to  receive,  these  little  courtesies.  May  we,  all,  realize 
the  truthfulness  of  this  statement  in  our  own  experiences. 


HAPPY    HEARTS.  83 

Boys,  deal  not  harshly,  with  any  one.  But,  especially 
should  you  leave  off  all  rudeness,  and  roughness,  in  your 
intercourse  with  your  mothers  and  sisters.  They  have 
the  strongest  claims  upon  you,  for  your  kindest  words 
and  tenderest  affections.  They  are  your  truest,  and 
most  appreciative  friends.  They  will  be  certain  to  re- 
ciprocate your  kind  attentions,  and  thoughtful  acts  in 
their  behalf.  This  reciprocity,  of  interested  affection, 
is  the  hidden  secret  of  many  happy  hearts,  and  harmoni- 
ous homes.  Such  home-life  is  freighted  with  the  grand- 
est lessons  of  reciprocal  love  the  world  has  ever  known. 
And  it  is  this  thought,  more  than  any  other,  that  leads  us 
to  associate  the  idea  of  home  with  our  ideal  heaven. 

But,  genuine  politeness,  or  gentility,  is  more  than 
mere  outside  polish.  It  is  the  rich  perfume  of  a  heart, 
bubbling  over  with  the  purities  of  life.  Nor  is  chaste  re- 
finement a  mere  renegade  virtue.  It  is  the  embodiment 
of  all  the  graces,  pertaining  to  chastity  of  character— 
the  rendition  of  the  purest,  and  loftiest  type  of  human 
excellence.  True  courtesies  are  neither  forced  nor 
formal.  They  are  simple  and  sincere.  Real  compli- 
ments come  from  the  heart,  just  as  they  fall  from  the 
lips.  Let  your  words  be  free  from  deception;  but 
ladened  with  love.  Your  tenderest  sympathies,  and 
heart-felt  affection  should  ever  be  manifested  toward 
your  lady  friends.  And,  be  sure  your  devotion  to  your 
mothers,  and  sisters  are  real,  not  feigned.  Do  not  leave 
them  to  doubt  your  love  ;  but  let  them  hear  it  from 
your  lips,  and  read  it  in  your  lives. 

Boys,  be  chaste.  Be  pure  in  thought,  word  and  ac- 
tion. Avoid  the  use  of  vulgar  and  obscene  expres- 
sions.    They  will  lead  to  profanity ;  and  pave  the  way 


84  HANDS,  HEAD  AND  HEART. 

to  more  fearful  sins.  Shun  the  wrong,  you  see  in  others. 
Follow  in  the  footsteps,  only,  of  the  true  and  the  good. 
Give  expression  to  the  good  ;  and  there  will,  al- 
ways, be  development  in  the  right  direction.  Repress 
the  wrong ;  and  you  will  constantly  limit,  and  lessen  its 
influence  over  your  lives.  Shun  the  society  of  the  vi- 
cious and  the  vile.  Cultivate,  only,  such  virtuous  habits, 
as  will  be  of  priceless  value,  to  you,  in  the  practical  de- 
partments of  life. 

Boys,  your  education  should  embrace  the  hands,  the 
head  and  the  heart.  Its  object  should  be  to  increase 
knowledge,  create  a  hatred  for  the  wrong  and  develop 
a  love  for  the  right.  A  well  developed  character  is  in- 
debted to  no  accidental  circumstances,  for  its  existence. 
You  must  keep  the  essence  and  essentials  ;  and  not  the 
mere  incidents,  and  accidents  of  life,  prominently  before 
your  minds,  if  purity  and  chastity  is  the  result.  Let  the 
purposes  of  your  life  be  pure  ;  and  your  actions  will  cor- 
respond with  them,  in  the  main.  Great  actions  are  the 
outgrowth  of  great  purposes.  Your  achievements  will 
be  measured  by  your  dispositions  to  do  the  right  and 
shun  the  wrong.  Boys,  you  carry,  in  your  hands,  two 
keys :  one  opens  the  door  to  success,  and  the  other  to 
failure  in  life.  Be  very  careful  which  key  you  use,- at  all 
times. 

Boys,  be  honest.  Honesty  is  the  only  perfect  policy. 
In  life's  harvest  field,  we  will  reap,  as  we  have  sown. 
Honesty  will  win  fame,  and  fortune  for  you,  ere  you 
reach  the  riper  years  of  manhood.  There  is  a  silent,  un- 
seen influence  in  an  honest,  upright  life,  that  must  be 
felt  for  good.  This  influence  acts,  and  reacts  with  magic 
power.     In   fact,   there    are   many    silent,    and   unseen 


CAUSE    AND    EFFECT.  85 

forces  at  work  in  the  physical  world.  Among  these  are, 
the  adhesive,  cohesive,  capillary  and  attractive  forces, 
none  of  which  are  the  less  potential,  because  of  their  si- 
lent operations.  So  it  is,  with  the  force  of  an  honest 
life.  It  is  silent  and  unseen ;  but  not  the  less  potent, 
or  positive  in  its  matchless  influence  for  good.  When 
minds  come  in  contact,  they  are  necessarily,  though  it 
may  be  unconsciously,  effected  by  each  other.  And,  the 
visible  effect  may  be  separated,  by  years,  from  the  un- 
seen cause;  but  still,  it  is  not  the  less  sure  to  follow. 
Cause  and  consequence  are  inseparably  linked  together, 
though  there  may  be  intervening  years,  or  even  cen- 
turies. 

Boys,  be  hopeful.  Never  give  way  to  despondency. 
Always  expect  more  to-morrow,  than  you  realize  to-day. 
Live  in  hope,  that  time  will  bring  you  rich  rewards,  for 
all  your  toils.  Labor  to  grow  in  favor,  and  advance  in 
honor  with  your  associates,  as  the  years  roll  by.  Never 
be  satisfied  with  the  attainments  of  the  present.  Let 
the  future,  ever,  be  an  improvement  on  the  past.  La- 
ment any  loss  of  love,  and,  always,  lend  a  helping  hand, 
with  a  warm  heart,  to  humanity's  woes.  You  may  need 
sympathy,  and  assistance  yourselves  some  time,  before 
you  reach  the  end  of  your  race.  But,  it  is  perfectly 
natural,  and  right,  that  you  should  look  at  life,  with  your 
young  hearts  full  of  hope.  You  may  build  many  air 
castles,  which  shall  fade  away  from  your  youthful  visions, 
long  before  you  reach  the  riper  years  of  manhood. 
But,  if  so,  just  let  them  fade.  They  did  not  cost  you 
any  thing  ;  and  you  can  soon  build  more,  just  as  good, 
and  perhaps  better.  He,  who  never  builds  air  castles, 
is  not  likely  to  build  any  thing  else.      Hope  is,  always,  on 


86  THE    HAPPIEST    OF    THE    HAPPY. 

the  wing,  and  out-flies  expectation.  He  who  anticipates 
nothing,  will  realize  but  little.  Hope  is  the  light  of  the 
future. 

Boys,  be  happy.  Let  your  youthful  days  be  the 
happiest  of  the  happy.  Boyhood-life  should  be  full  of 
sweetest  sunshine.  Your  young  hearts  ought  to  over- 
flow with  joy  and  gladness.  The  happy,  buoyant  boy 
bears  the  burdens  of  his  comrades.  His  sunshine  ban- 
ishes the  shadows  from  their  hearts.  We  like  to  see  a 
boy  full  of  fun,  and  ready  for  innocent  sport.  For  the 
boy,  who  is  too  lazy  to  play,  will  always  be  too  trifling 
to  work.  But,  the  truly  happy  boy  knows,  that  humility 
is  the  most  essential  element  to  honor,  charity  the 
grandest  of  all  the  Christian  graces  and  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  the  beginning  of  wisdom.  He  has  realized  that 
love  to  the  Lord  is  a  living  fountain,  in  the  heart,  which 
sends  its  sacred  streams  through  the  whole  being,  mold- 
ing, and  modifying  the  character  for  good,  and  con- 
sequently for  happiness. 

Boys,  be  industrious.  Do  not  loiter  along  life's 
highway.  It  is  a  sure  sign  of  laziness.  Work  first, 
then  rest,  if  you  are  tired  ;  if  not,  then,  play  or  study. 
Let  the  duties  of  the  day  be  done,  at  once,  then  the 
mind  is  free,  and  the  lad  at  leisure.  Always  dispatch 
business,  in  haste,  and  you  will  seldom  be  compelled  to 
hurry.  Never  think  you, have  all  day,  in  which  to  do  an 
hour's  work ;  but,  do  it  in  exactly  sixty  minutes.  This 
rule  is  a  sure  sign  of  industry  ;  and  will  prove  to  be  of 
value  to  you  through  life.  The  ability,  to  do  something 
great,  grows  out  of  a  disposition  to  do  what  you  can 
Constant  employment  will  make  men  of  you.  Industry 
is    the   stepping-stone  to    physical,  mental,  moral    and 


JOLLY  BOYS. 
We  like  to  see  a  boy  full  of  fun  and  ready  for  innocent  sport,' 
(See  page  86.J 


$  , 


BOYS    LOVE    TO    PLAY.  87 

spiritual  worth.  You  should  always  be  doing  something 
useful.  We  do  not  advocate  degrading,  or  hard  manual 
labor,  as  a  necessity  to  success  in  life :  but  we  do  insist 
upon  body-improving,  mind-developing,  heart-adorning, 
and  soul-sanctifying  employments,  as  being  absolutely 
essential  to  the  highest  type  of  boyhood-life. 

But,  very  few  boys  really  love  to  work.  Most  of  you 
have  a  positive  dislike  for  manual  labor ;  unless  it  is 
something  quite  new,  novel,  or  romantic  to  you.  Or, 
perchance,  if  it  be  something,  that  you  can  not  do  at  all, 
you  will  imagine  you  would  enjoy  it  very  much  indeed. 

But,  boys,  I  can  tell  you  what  you  do  like.  You,  all, 
like  to  play.  It  seldom  gets  too  cold  for  you  to  enjoy  a 
good  game  of  base,  or  ball,  though  the  frost  may  bite 
your  heels  and  nibble  your  noses.  It  never  gets  too  hot 
for  you  to  enjoy  the  liveliest  sports,  though  the  sun 
should  scorch  and  blister  your  hands  and  feet ;  and 
beads  of  perspiration  should  stand  upon  your  foreheads, 
and  drench  your  bodies.  It  is  play  ;  not  work,  hence 
you  enjoy  it,  too  much  to  tire  or  complain. 

Boys,  educate  yourselves.  You  can  not  afford  to 
grow  up  in  ignorance.  The  object  of  an  education  is 
not,  simply,  the  acquisition  of  a  certain  amount  of 
knowledge.  It  is  to  prepare  you  to  acquit  yourselves 
like  men,  in  the  great  battles  of  life.  It  is  designed  to 
make  you  good  citizens,  and  useful  men  in  your  day  and 
generation.  Then  you  should  lay  broad,  and  deep  the 
foundations  of  grand  superstructures,  which  will  supply 
the  necessities,  and  ward  off  the  perils  incident  to  a 
painful  pilgrimage,  across  the  desert-wastes  of  time. 

Boys,  be  men,  when  you  attain  to  manhood's  years. 
Rise  above   the   fatal   habits   of  your   fellows.     Refuse, 


88  THE  GOOD  AND  THE  GREAT. 

most  positively,  to  place  your  lives  under  mortgage  to 
temptation  and  crime.  Inform  yourselves  well,  as  to 
satan's  snares,  and  throw  around  your  future  lives  all 
the  safeguards  of  morality  and  religion. 

Boys,  self-culture  is  the  fountain  source,  from  whence 
all  truly  great  achievements  flow.  You  must  search  for 
greatness,  as  for  concealed  gold.  No  one  ever  grew 
great,  without  putting  forth  personal  effort.  If  you  are 
too  indolent  to  read,  and  reflect,  you  might  just  as  well 
bid  a  final  farewell,  to  all  hopes  of  future  greatness :  for 
your  social  standing  is  already  fixed,  and  your  public 
destiny  forever  sealed.  Your  future  position  lies  far 
down  the  vale  of  obscurity.  You  must  be  cultured,  if 
you  would  tread  life's  highway  with  honor,  and  win 
laurels,  in  the  active  duties  of  some  useful  profession, 
from  a  busy  world.  The  laurels  of  life,  which  adorn  the 
old  man's  brow,  were  won  during  the  days  of  his  youth. 
The  crown  of  glory  sits  upon  the  aged  head,  because 
the  youthful  feet  remained  in  the  ways  of  righteous- 
ness. 

Boys,  you  ought  to  improve  on  the  lives  of  your 
honored  fathers.  You  ought  to  make  bigger,  and  better 
men,  since  your  opportunities  are,  so  far,  superior.  You 
can  not  afford  to  close  your  eyes  against  the  light,  which 
illumines  your  days  ;  and  grope  your  ways,  through  the 
dark  empire  of  night.  The  conquests,  of  the  world, 
must  not  be  so  many  blanks  to  those,  who  would 
wreathe  their  own  brows  with  the  trophies  of  victory. 
If  you  would  be  successful  through  life,  and  honored  in 
death,  then,  you  must  welcome  the  light  whi'  h  has 
blessed  the  good,  and  great  of  past  ages.  If  the  world 
grows  wiser  and  worthier,  as  the    centuries  roll  away. 


COUNTER    CURRENTS.  89 

noble  sons  must  become  more  than  compeers  of  their 
honored  sires. 

Boys,  seek  to  excel  in  life's  contest.  Place  your 
marks  high  ;  and,  then,  aim  above  them.  Live  with  the 
noblest  purposes,  and  grandest  achievements  of  life, 
constantly,  in  view.  Shun,  as  much  as  possible,  the 
counter  currents  of  life  ;  and  stem,  manfully,  the  surg- 
ing billows  of  opposition.  You  will  find  it  no  easy  task, 
to  resist  all  the  temptations  which  beset  your  pathways, 
and  be  pure,  noble-hearted  boys,  during  all  the  days  of 
boyhood-life.  There  must  be  a  rapid,  and  symmetrical 
development  of  all  your  mental,  moral  and  spiritual 
faculties,  if  you  ever  ripen  into  mature  manhood.  The 
world  is,  always,  looking  to  its  boys ;  for  they  are  its 
hope  of  future  greatness.  Its  eyes  are  on  you  to-day. 
It  expects  great  things  of  you  in  the  future.  Anticipate 
its  wants,  and  look  well  to  its  highest  interests.  Accept 
only  some  laudable  vocation,  or  calling  in  life.  And,  if 
you  would  distance  your  fellows  in  the  race,  you  must 
run  on  a  better  track,  and  make  faster  time  than  they 
do.  You  must  contest  eagerly  and  earnestly,  if  you 
would  win  the  prize  of  life.     Then, 

"  Go  up  higher,  noble,  true  boys, 

Do  not  loiter  long  below  ; 
You'll  be  wanted  at  the  summit, 

Briskly,  bravely  upward  go. 

Go  up  higher,  in  your  morals, 

And  in  all  things,  day  by  day  ; 
And,  step  by  step,  climb  the  stairway, 

Till  the  glory-crowning  day," 


90  TRIUMPHANT   TRUTHS. 

Boys,  study  God's  word ;  heed  all  its  solemn  admoni- 
tions, and  claim  all  its  precious  promises.  Let  its 
triumphant  truths  be  filtered  into  your  young  hearts, 
and  absorbed  by  your  youthful  souls  ;  and  its  practical 
precepts  will  shape  your  after-lives,  and  its  preeminent 
principles  determine  your  future  destinies.  You  should 
never  lose  faith  in  the  teachings  of  the  Bible,  regarding 
the  ultimate  destiny  of  our  race.  You  should  never 
make  ship-wreck  of  your  own  souls,  by  closing  your 
eyes  to  the  onward  march  of  the  good,  and  the  great  of 
earth.  They  make  the  great  mistake  of  life,  who, 
while  young,  in  the  heated  visions  of  infidelity,  scorn  the 
heaven-given  heroes  of  earth,  who  live,  and  die  for  the 
good  of  humanity.  And  they  will  one  day  realize  it ; 
when,  with  blasted  hopes  and  blackened  hearts,  they 
grope  their  way,  through  impenetrable  darkness,  without 
a  single  ray  of  light  to  cheer  them,  as  they  traverse  the 
dark  valley,  and  cross  over  the  Stygian  river  of  death. 
Then  deal  largely  in  truth.  It  will  prove  animating,  and 
refreshing  to  your  souls.  It  will  purify  your  lives ;  and 
prepare  you  for  death.  For,  its  epistles  are  all  freighted 
with  virtue,  and  ladened  with  love. 

Boys,  give  yourselves  to  God,  early  in  life,  that  you 
may  make  men  after  his  own  heart.  If  still  in  sin,  your 
unbelief  makes  the  Lord  out  a  liar  ;  and  there  is  sin 
enough  in  it  to  damn  the  whole  world.  We  do  not  have 
to  lie,  or  steal,  or  murder  some  one,  in  order  to  be  lost. 
"  He  that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned. "  This  un- 
belief has  its  origin,  not,  as  some  feign  to  believe,  in 
the  profundity  of  the  head  ;  but  in  the  wickedness  of 
the  heart :  not,  in  the  brilliancy  of  the  intellect ;  but 
in    the   blackness   of    sin-beclouded    affection,       Then, 


UNBELIEF. 


91 


never  regard  it  an  evidence  of  superior  intellectual 
power,  to  reject  Christ  and  his  cross.  The  wisest, 
and  best  men,  who  ever  lived  upon  earth,  have  hon- 
ored him  with  their  heads,  and  adored  him  with  their 
hearts.     Give  yourselves  to  Jesus, 


WOMAN-HOOD. 


Chapter  V. 


The  woman,  with  a  loving  heart, 
Acts  well,  in  life,  a  woman' s part. 
She  wields,  o'er  all,  a  magic  power, 
Felt  most  by  manhood's  heart  each  hour. 


OMAN-HOOD  is  life  in  full  bloom. 
It  is  the   flower  of  life,  in  all  its 
loveliness.  It  is  the  red  rose  of  life, 
in  all  its  beauty  and  fragrance.    It 
is  the  magic  charm  of  life,  with  all 
its  sweet  enchantments.     It  is  the 
beau-ideal  of  life,  in  all  its  purity 
and  perfection.     It  is  life  full  of  light  and  freight- 
ed with  love,  blooming  with  beauty  and  blushing 
with  charms. 

Woman-hood  is  life,  with  a  heart  like  an  ^iolian 
harp,  responding  to  every  gentle  breeze,  which 
touches  its  tender  chords  of  sympathy  and  affec- 
tion, and  making  music  for  the  world.  Where- 
ever  you  find  woman-hood,  properly  developed,  you 
have  a  power  that  is  potent  for  good.  It  may  be  on  the 
bleak  sterile  coasts  of  the  North,  the  milder  regions  of 


~  tt  o 

rt  3  & 

rt  P  > 

"O  K  ►> 

B<?  rr  ■_ . 

a  to  H, 

•S  ST  O 

-  «2  O 


WOMANLY    WORTH.  93 

the  temperate  zone,  or  on  the  sandy,  sun-burned  soil  in 
the  sunny  land  of  the  South ;  no  matter  when,  or  where 
it  is  you  will  find  warm  hearts  throbbing  in  unison  with 
the  highest,  and  holiest  sentiments  of  the  true,  the  beau- 
tiful, the  good. 

Woman-hood  is  the  real  worth,  the  wisdom,  the  genu- 
ine wealth  which  is  found  embodied  in  the  perfectly  de- 
veloped female  character.  It  is  one  of  the  purest,  and 
best  things  beneath  the  skies.  Its  primary  elements 
are  not  to  be  found  in  a  woman's  worldly  accomplish- 
ments, but  in  her  Christian  character.  Woman-hood, 
then,  is  more  than  mere  worldly  adornment.  It  adds  to 
this  rich  legacy,  the  still  richer  boon  of  spiritual  endow- 
ment; and  sits  a  loyal  queen  upon  its  own  legitimate 
throne0  It  never  descends  to  the  low  level  of  humanity, 
which  would  make  it  a  toy  for  man,  the  idol  for  his  van- 
ity, or  the  victim  of  his  lust.  There  is  no  higher  attain- 
ment, this  side  the  spirit  land,  than  that  of  a  pure, 
lofty,  Christian  woman-hood.  Neither  is  there  any 
nobler  being,  beneath  the  bending  heavens,  than  a  beau- 
tiful, beneficent  woman.  But  all  women  do  not  possess 
the  prize  of  genuine  woman-hood.  Many  of  them  fall 
far  short  of  its  fadeless  graces  and  crowning  glories. 

Womanly  worth  has  its  origin  in  the  mind,  its  trend 
through  the  heart  and  its  terminus  in  the  soul.  A  wo- 
man, destitute  of  woman-hood,  is  a  most  pitiable  object. 
She  is  salt  which  has  lost  its  savor — a  light  hid  under  a 
bushel.  Woman-hood  itself  demands  a  shield  to  protect 
it,  amid  the  dangers  of  life ;  grace  to  strengthen 
it,  under  the  temptations  of  time ;  faith  to  support  it, 
through  the  trials  of  earth,  and  religion  to  soothe  its 
sorrows,  sweeten  its  joys  and  span  the  dark,  and  dismal 


94  WOMANLINESS. 

chasm  of  its  future,  with   the  radiant   bow  of   celestial 
hope. 

Womanliness  is  one  of  the  chief  characteristics  of 
woman-hood.  This  grace  prevents  women  from  aspir- 
ing to  any  virtue,  not  common  to  their  sex.  Woman  is 
man's  equal.  She  should  not  seek  to  be  his  superior, 
nor  consent  to  be  his  slave.  The  world  wants  a  woman- 
hood that  will  walk,  side  by  side,  with  the  noblest  man- 
hood, in  the  battles  of  life.  Its  most  exalted  sphere  is 
at  the  head  of  the  society  for  the  virtuous,  the  true  and 
the  good  of  earth.  Her  ideal  should  be  the  highest 
possible  development  of  the  domestic,  and  social  ele- 
ments of  woman-hood-life.  A  pure,  polite  and  polished 
woman-hood  wields  the  most  powerful  influence,  felt  in 
the  domestic  circle. 

"  Without  envy,  strife  or  malice, 
Home  is  woman's  throne  and  palace ; 
Mightier  here,  by  far  is  she, 
Than  king,  or  monarch,  e'er  can  be: 

:'  In  learning  less,  in  body  weakness, 
But  strong  in  faith  and  love  and  meekness ; 
No  warlike  hosts,  with  flags  unfurled, 
Yet  ruling  men,  who  rule  the  world." 

Modest,  magnificent,  matchless  woman-hood  is  a  per- 
fect model  of  virtue,  grace  and  elegance.  Such  woman- 
hood is  the  admiration  of  men,  the  delight  of  angels 
and  the  pride  of  the  Lord.  But,  society  has  never  been 
able  to  build  an  impregnable  barrier,  or  wall  of  defense, 
around  the  Eden  of  such  innocence  and  virtue.  Nor  are 
there  any  flaming  swords,  at  her  golden  gates,  turning 


GENUINE    WOMAN-HOOD.  95 

everyway  to  ward  off  danger  and  disgrace,  save  it  be 
those  of  spotless  purity  and  changeless  chastity.  For 
virtue,  rather  than  beauty,  is  woman-hood's  best  pledge 
for  safety.  It  is  the  golden  panoply  which  overshadows 
the  pathway  of  innocence,  through  all  its  dangerous  pil- 
grimage. The  wants  of  the  age  demand  a  virtuous, 
vigorous,  valiant  woman-hood,  that  will  shed  increasing 
light  upon  the  surrounding  darkness. 

Beautiful,  bewitching,  wonderful  woman-hood  is  queen 
in  all  the  broad  empire  of  love  ;  and  every  heart  of  man 
would  gladly  pay  tribute  to  her  righteous  reign  upon  the 
earth.  But,  beauty  destitute  of  virtue  is  at  once  de- 
throned. She  is  a  flower  without  its  perfume,  a  dove 
devoid  of  her  innocence,  a  nightingale  which  has  lost 
her  power  of  song,  a  queen  without  crown  or  sceptre. 
Virtue  is  woman-hood's  royal  dower.  It  is  her  richest 
legacy.  A  woman  may  wear  a  rose  without  beauty  of 
tint,  or  variety  of  coloring  ;  but  she  never  can  possess 
genuine  worn,  ^-hood,  without  purity  of  heart  and  chas- 
tity of  life. 

Genuine  woman-hood  is  full  of  womanly  instincts.  It 
is  overflowing  with  unconscious  power.  She,  who  wears 
this  royal  crown,  is  the  queen  of  many  manly  hearts. 
Manhood,  any  and  every  where,  readily  bows  to  her 
gentle  sceptre  of  love.  She  binds,  with  a  silken  chord, 
and  leads,  with  a  silver  thread,  the  strongest,  and 
bravest  among  the  children  of  men.  The  silent,  and 
unseen  influence,  of  such  women,  is  molding  the  char- 
acter, and  moving  the  generations  of  men  to  higher,  and 
holier  lives.  The  prowess,  and  prestige  of  female 
power  is  looming  up  grandly,  and  must  be  felt,  and 
feared   by   the    enemy,   in    humanity's    battles,    for  the 


96  A  SCEPTERED    QUEEN. 

reformation  of  our  race.  Women  excel  men  in  sagac- 
ity of  perception,  moral  worth  and  social  refinement. 
Her  every  virtue  has  its  influence  upon  mankind.  Each 
act  of  her  life  is  a  lovely  star,  in  the  heavens  of  her 
moral  firmament.  Woman-hood  is  the  unknown  quan- 
tity, or  power,  in  the  solution  of  the  world's  most 
important   problems. 

Exalted  woman-hood  is  the  embodiment  of  life,  in  its 
loveliest  forms.  Woman's  heart  is  the  altar  from  which 
religion  often  goes  out  on  its  mission  of  mercy.  She 
lives  over  her  life,  again  and  again,  in  the  lives  of  those 
she  loves.  Without  her  benign  influence,  the  lunar 
light  of  the  world  would  long  since  have  waned  away, 
into  utter  darkness.  Purity  has  ever  been  at  home,  in 
her  presence.  Piety  has  been  her  guardian  angel  from 
time  immemorial.  Virtue  has  always  been  her  crowning 
grace.  Her  beauty  has  been  a  bounty  bestowed  by 
heaven  itself.  Music  has  been  the  melody  of  her  soul 
in  all  ages.  And  her  presence  has  been  the  herald  of 
happiness,  wherever  she  has  gone  in  the  world.  Gentle, 
amiable  woman-hood  is  commissioned  to  purify  society, 
and  anchor  the  hopes  of  a  wayward  world. 

Affectionate  woman-hood  reigns  a  sceptered  queen, 
over  the  broad  empire  of  consecrated  love.  Woman 
lives  but  to  love.  Her  love  is  the  emblem,  and  instru- 
ment of  her  power.  Her  influence  flows  from  this 
fountain,  in  four  powerful  channels  :  namely ;  modesty, 
mildness,  gentility,  and  tenderness.  And,  when  these 
currents  all  strike  a  man,  they  strike  to  conquer.  And, 
when  they  overflow  his  soul,  he  bows  an  obedient  sub- 
ject to  her  mild  sceptre.  Woman  as  a  sister,  wife  and 
mother  wields  a  triune  sceptre,  which  renders  her  peer- 


HELPING    HANDS.  97 

less  in  power.  Her  love  is  man's  comfort  in  sickness, 
and  his  joy  in  health.  Her  society  soothes  his  saddened 
soul,  and  pours  balm  into  his  wounded  heart.  Her 
mission  seems  to  be  to  soften  his  sorrows,  and  save  his 
soul.  To  this  end,  she  lives,  and  labors  till  her  life's 
work  is  done. 

Fresh,  and  vigorous  woman-hood  is  always  lovely,  but 
loveliest  with  the  first  rose-bloom  of  summer,  blushing 
upon  the  fair  cheek  of  youth  and  beauty.  Young 
woman-hood  ought  always  to  be  strong  and  vigorous. 
Its  forms  ought  ever  to  be  full  of  health  and  happiness. 
Its  chests  should  be  well  expanded,  with  lungs  firm  and 
free.  Its  hearts  should  be  large  and  liberal,  sending 
forth  active  currents  of  pure  blood,  ladened  with  life  for 
every  member  of  the  body.  We  live  in  the  golden  age 
of  the  world's  history.  And  every  young  lady  should 
resolve  to  do  something  for  the  elevation  of  her  associ- 
ates. Helping  hands  are  humanity's  most  germane 
assistants. 

The  world  has  not  yet  compassed  the  true  aims,  and 
ends  of  a  fully  developed  woman-hood.  Woman,  her- 
self, has  not  yet  realized  her  own  peerless  power.  She 
is  comparatively  ignorant  of  the  wonderful  influence  she 
possesses,  and  might  exert  for  lasting  good  upon  the 
world.  She  has  been  content,  hitherto,  with  too  little 
culture  of  both  head  and  heart.  Her  life,  in  the  main, 
has  been  comparatively  weak  and  worthless.  Her  in- 
fluence, for  good,  has  been  so  largely  counter-balanced 
by  evil,  that  it  has,  so  far,  proved  to  be  but  the  shadow 
of  what  it  might  have  been.  Woman  is,  by  right,  the 
mistress  of  the  world  ;  and  she  oueht  to  assume  the 
authority,  delegated  to  her  by  the  divine  Hand. 


98  BETTER    IDEAS    OF    WOMAN-HOOD. 

But,  the  world  is  getting  better  ideas  of  woman-hood's 
sphere,  and  power  as  the  ages  roll  past.  Men  begin  to 
recognize  the  fact,  that  women  have  minds  of  their  own, 
and  are  capable  of  thinking,  investigating,  forming  and 
expressing  opinions  for  themselves,  worthy  of  the 
world's  sincere  consideration.  They  also  begin  to 
recognize  the  fact  that  women  have  a  right,  and  are 
competent  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  advancements 
which  are  being  made  for  the  civilization,  and  Christian- 
ization  of  the  race.  But  women's  tears  are  often  their 
tacit,  but  most  convincing  arguments.  They  touch  the 
hard  hearts  of  tyrants;  and  thus  women  rule  the  men 
who  rule  the  world. 

Woman  is  wonderfully  made.  She  is  delicate  in 
structure,  and  beautiful  in  form.  She  is  subtile  in 
thought,  and  serene  in  mind.  But  just  look  into  her 
devoted  heart,  and  you  will  find  the  watch-work  of  love. 
This  is  her  time-keeper.  She  runs  and  regulates  her 
life  by  the  beatings,  and  battlings  of  her  loving  heart. 
With  it,  she  wins  her  empire,  hoards  her  wealth  and 
rules  her  household.  Devoted  love  is  the  life-sphere  of 
a  true  woman.  She  stakes  her  all  upon  the  affections  of 
her  heart.  Love  is  the  instrument  with  which  she  over- 
comes the  most  trying  ordeals  of  life.  With  it,  she 
makes  all  her  conquests  sure  ;  and  gains  complete  as- 
cendency over  the  heart  of  man. 

Woman  is  the  world's  best  type  of  beauty.  To  her 
belong  earth's  rarest  charms  and  richest  graces.  Her 
form  is  finished  in  symmetry.  She  is  beauty's  brightest 
shadow.  Her  features  are  fashioned  in  perfection's 
molds.  She  is  a  life-gem  of  beauty.  Her  movements 
are  the  most  artistic,  and  graceful  the  world  has   ever 


A    RARE    GIFT.  99 

known.  She  is  a  mirror  of  beauty.  Her  voice  is  the 
melody  of  winning  words,  set  to  the  music  of  a  loving 
heart.  She  is  a  mine  of  beauty.  Only  let  her  life-char- 
acter embody  the  essence  of  spiritual  worth,  and  she 
reigns  beauty's  fairest,  and  loveliest  queen. 

Fair  young  ladies,  the  Creator  has  clothed  your  forms, 
and  features  with  a  beauty  so  rich,  rare  and  ravishing, 
that  it  softens  all  hearts  and  subdues  all  spirits.  It  ren- 
ders it,  almost,  a  necessity  that  men  admire,  and  love 
you.  Your  beauty  wins,  for  you,  flowery  paths  along 
life's  highway.  It  is  a  rich  legacy.  It  wins  admiration 
from  every  beholder.  It  gains  favor  from  every  admirer. 
It  disarms  the  bitterest  enemy.  It  weaves  the  golden 
links  in  friendship's  sacred  chains  ;  and  paves  the  way 
to  the  highest  seats  in  the  gift  of  loyal  loving  hearts. 

Female  beauty  is  a  rare,  and  priceless  gift,  which 
brings  its  possessor  under  special  obligation  to  God. 
She  should  prize  the  gift  most  highly ;  and  manifest  the 
greatest  gratitude  to  the  Giver.  She  who  revels  in  the 
raptures  of  realized  beauty,  should  be  most  devout  in 
demeanor,  loveliest  in  life,  holiest  in  heart  and  most 
charming  in  character.  For,  one  of  the  most  ungrate- 
ful beings,  in  the  world,  is  the  hopelessly  haughty,  and 
heartless  thing  of  beauty,  whose  head  is  lighter  than 
her  heart. 

Beauty,  itself,  is  lovely,  and  ought  to  lead  to  virtue 
and  happiness.  It  should  always  administer  to  one's 
pleasure  and  usefulness  in  the  world.  But  young 
ladies,  though  fair  to  look  upon,  you  need  not  weigh 
your  beauty,  of  face  and  form,  against  genuine  woman- 
hood ;  for  you  will  always  find  it,  woefully,  wanting. 
Physical   beauty   is    worse    than    worthless,   without   a 


IOO  MAN  S    IDEAL    WOMAN-HOOD. 

cultured   Christian  character,  to   acompany  it  through 
life. 

Beauty,  like  wealth,  is  a  dangerous  legacy.  It  has 
ruined  its  devotees,  by  the  thousands,  in  all  ages  of  the 
world's  history.  It  makes  some  persons  gay  and  giddy. 
It  renders  others  silly  and  senseless.  It  turns  others 
selfish  and  sensual.  It,  too  often,  leads  to  vanity ;  and 
vanity  is  the  bane  of  woman-hood.  It  reigns  but  to 
ruin.  Beware,  then,  ye  deluded  devotees  how  you  bow 
at  beauty's  shrine,  ere  you  become  the  hopeless  victims 
of  heartless  vanity. 

Man's  ideal  woman-hood  is  always  beautiful  and  love- 
ly. Her  figure  is  faultless,  her  movements  most  grace- 
ful and  her  manners  most  charming.  This  ideal  woman- 
hood once  mellowed  into  a  ripe,  rich  fruitage  is  never 
wanting  in  any  of  the  elements  of  a  lovely,  laudable  life. 
Then,  do  not  let  your  love  of  personal  beauty  be  linked 
so  much  with  earthly  desires,  as  with  heavenly  aspira- 
tions, and  it  will  ever  prove  a  refining,  and  elevating 
influence  upon  your  lives  and  labors ;  and  your  charac- 
ters will  be  the  outgrowth  of  spiritual  beauty  and  love- 
liness. 

There  is  a  beauty  which  all  women  may  possess. 
This  beauty  is  seen  in  every  honest  face.  It  shines  out 
in  every  generous  act.  It  is  a  part  of  every  perfect 
character  ;  and  the  charm  of  every  charitable  life.  This 
beauty  sweetens  the  voice  of  sympathy,  softens  the 
hands  of  charity  and  crowns  the  brow  of  fidelity.  It  is 
the  beauty  of  a  soul  cared  for  and  cultured.  It  is  the 
beauty  that  will  give  a  polished  finish  to  all  your  actions, 
a  refined  sweetness  to  all  your  manners  and  an  outward 
loveliness  to  your  person  and  life.     It  is  spiritual  beauty. 


SPIRITUAL    BEAUTY.  IOI 

This  beauty  of  spirit  is  the  most  charming  grace  of  cul- 
tured woman-hood.  It  is  a  beauty  that  will  win,  and 
wear  the  fadeless  laurels  of  life.  And  she,  who  possesses 
this  rare  grace,  is  a  crowned  queen  who  moves,  like  an 
enchanting  spirit,  among  her  loyal  subjects. 

Then,  young  lady,  if  you  can  not  be  a  star  of  beauty, 
be  at  least  a  star  of  light — a  star  of  love.  Let  a  halo 
of  glory  encircle  your  brow,  and  hover  round  your  path- 
way through  life.  Be  a  star  of  hope,  to  some  benighted 
soul — a  polar-star  to  some  wayfaring  wanderer,  out  upon 
life's  tempestuous  sea. 

The  truly  beautiful  woman  is  a  mystery,  a  metaphor, 
a  miracle.  She  is  a  bud,  in  prosperity,  full  of  sweetest 
odors,  perfuming  the  day.  In  adversity,  she  is  an  angel 
of  light,  ministering  in  the  darkness.  Misfortune  does 
not  daunt  her  courage.  Pestilence  does  not  quench  her 
love.  And  poverty  does  not  blast  her  hopes.  Every- 
where she  goes,  her  presence  proves  a  blessing,  and 
her  helping  hand  a  healing  power.  Her  affections,  as 
a  wife  and  mother,  furnish  an  inspiration  which  makes 
her  energies  equal  to  any,  and  every  emergency  of  life. 
If,  under  the  broad  sunlight  of  a  prosperous,  and  happy 
voyage,  the  dark  cloud  of  misfortune  overshadows  her 
husband,  she  at  once  becomes  his  comforter  and  sup- 
porter, abiding  with  firmness  the  bitterest  winds  of  ad- 
versity. So,  often,  she,  who  was  but  an  ornament  and 
an  expense  in  his  prosperous  days,  is  his  solace  and 
support,  when  smitten  by  sudden  calamity,  or  overtaken 
by  lingering  disease. 

But,  the  first  woman  was  beautiful,  and  fair,  indeed, 
to  look  upon.  She  was  fresh,  and  lovely  as  she  dropped 
from  the  Creative  Hand.     There  was  no  mark  of  sin  to 


102  THE    FIRST    WOMAN. 

mar  the  contour  of  her  fair  face  and  faultless  form.  No 
tear  had  ever  dimmed  the  luster  of  her  sparkling  eyes, 
or  trickled  down  her  blooming  cheek.  Her  red,  rosy- 
lips  had  never  quivered  in  the  agony  of  despair,  nor 
curled  in  the  bitterness  of  scorn.  She  was  heaven's 
first,  best  gift  to  man.  She  was  an  ideal  beauty.  Love 
was  the  law  of  her  life.  She  was  free  from  sin  and  all 
its  fearful  consequences.  She  was  a  model  wife,  stand- 
ing, in  all  the  innocence  of  her  beauty  and  purity,  the 
compeer  of  a  perfect  man.  Her  hand  was  soft  and 
white.  Her  head  was  the  home  of  intellectual  thought ; 
and  her  heart  the  seat  of  woman's  purest,  and  fondest 
affections.  And  Adam  passed  the  grandest  compliment 
on  Eve  ever  passed  upon  beautiful,  affectionate  woman- 
hood when  he  said,  The  woman  whom  thou  gavest  to 
be  with  me,  she  gave  me  of  the  tree,  and  I  did  eat. 
Beautiful,  affectionate  Eve  !  so  fair,  so  sweet,  so  lovely, 
thou  art  the  legator  to  the  world  of  many  millions  of 
fair  daughters  and  noble  sons.  All  honor  to  the  fair, 
but  unfortunate,  mother  of  our  fallen  race ! 

Men  prefer  pretty  women  to  almost  anything  else 
that  you  can  give  them.  Please  pardon  an  illustration, 
of  this  fact,  from  ancient  mythology.  The  goddess 
Discordia  threw  down,  among  the  other  goddesses,  an 
apple  of  gold  with  this  inscription  upon  it — "  Let  the 
fairest  take  it."  Whereupon  there  arose  a '  quarrel, 
among  them,  for  each  one  thought  herself  the  most 
beautiful.  It  was  finally  agreed,  however,  that  the  apple 
should  be  awarded,  by  Paris,  to  one  of  the  three  su- 
perior goddesses.  So  he  was  called,  and  they  each 
courted  his  favor,  with  a  special  promise.  Juno  proposed 
to  reward  him  with  power,  Pallas    with  wisdom  ;    but 


HAPPY    HOMES.  IO3 

Venus  promised  him  the  most  beautiful  woman  in  the 
world.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  Venus  was 
pronounced  the  fairest  goddess,  and  awarded  the  golden 
apple.  Paris  soon  sailed  to  Greece,  with  a  great  fleet, 
and  brought  to  Troy  Helena,  the  world's  most  beautiful 
woman,  who  was  betrothed  to  Menelaus,  King  of 
Sparta  ;  and  hence  ensued  the  fatal,  but  famous  Tro- 
jan war. 

Woman  is  the  central  figure  in  every  happy  home. 
The  domestic  circle  is  her  lawful  domain*.  Here  she 
reigns,  a  genuine  queen,  over  the  hearts  of  those  who 
cluster  around  her  gracious  throne.  The  home  is  the 
capitol  of  her  boundless  kingdom.  It  is  the  center  of 
her  wide  sphere  of  usefulness.  She  is  peculiarly  fitted, 
by  nature,  to  preside  over  a  happy  home.  And,  she 
will  ever  reign  an  honored,  and  much  beloved  queen 
over  its  rich  and  far-reaching  realms.  In  its  studio,  she 
will  continue,  while  the  world  stands,  to  carve  the  model 
statuary  of  her  moral  heroism.  At  its  altar,  she  will 
ever  be  found  painting  her  peerless  pictures,  of  spiritual 
beauty,  upon  the  tablets  of  other  hearts.  As  a  mother, 
she  becomes  the  gentle  guide,  the  gifted  genius  and  the 
gracious  guardian  of  her  little  loved  ones.  She  is,  then, 
the  hand,  the  head  and  the  heart  of  her  happy  home. 
Her  hands  are  ever  administering  to  the  wants  of  her 
household.  Her  head  is  always  filled  with  domestic 
thought.  And  her  heart  is  constantly  overflowing  with 
anxiety,  and  affection  for  her  family. 

Woman  is  the  mistress  of  the  model  home.  She  is 
its  crown,  and  its  glory.  Here,  she  reigns,  without  a 
rival,  over  all  hearts.  The  joys  of  the  model  home 
depend,  not  so  much  upon  the  place  and  its  surround- 


104  THE    MODEL    HOME. 

ings,  as  upon  the  character,  and  conduct  of  its  inmates. 
You  might  have  a  marble  mansion,  a  beautiful  park,  a 
lovely  lawn  and  an  exquisite  flower  garden,  all  sur- 
rounded by  a  sea  of  luxuries,  and  yet  the  essentials  to 
home-happiness  might  be  wanting.  In  the  ideal  home, 
peace-offerings  must  be  brought,  to  the  family  altar,  by 
each  member  of  the  household,  love-flowers  must  bloom 
and  blossom,  in  every  heart,  and  charity's  rarest  fruits 
must  ripen,  in  every  life.  This  ideal  home  is  usually  a 
quiet,  secluded  spot,  beautiful  without  and  harmonious 
within — a  place  where,  loving  hearts  are  linked  together, 
by  the  strongest  chords  of  domestic  life. 

This  happy  home-life  has  many  lessons  of  love,  for 
young  ladies.  Like  them,  it  is  both  delicate  and  sensitive. 
Its  springs  of  action  are  both  secret  and  subtile.  The 
weight  of  a  breath  will  snap  its  tender  chords.  The 
slightest  rudeness  will  bruise  its  delicate  flowers.  The 
least  bitterness  will  extract  much  sweetness  from  its 
richest  enjoyments.  Home-hearts  are  armorless.  They 
have  no  covering  to  shield  them,  from  the  arrows  of 
those  who  ought  to  love,  and  protect  them  through  life. 
Deep,  and  deadly  is  the  wound  inflicted  by  a  brother  or 
a  sister,  a  parent  or  a  child. 

Woman  is  the  primary  element  in  social  life.  She  is 
the  center  of  attraction,  in  the  social  circle.  She  should 
make  her  influence,  here,  felt  for  good.  She  should  let 
love  handle  the  social  harp  of  life  ;  and  its  music  will  fill, 
and  thrill  all  souls  with  delight.  And,  she  will  soon 
find  herself  surrounded,  by  a  host  of  loving  hearts. 
Woman  should  make  the  most  of  all  her  opportunities  ; 
and  tax  all  her  powers,  in  order  to  exert  the  strongest 
possible  influence  over  those  with  whom  she  is  associated 


THE    SOCIA.L    CIRCLE.  IO5 

in  this  life.  She  should  never  forget,  that  it  is  cultured 
woman-hood  which  wields  the  sceptre  of  social,  and 
sacred  influence  over  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men. 
And  in  order  to  exert  this  hallowed  influence  on  her 
social  circle,  a  woman's  society-life  must  be  but  the  reflex 
of  her  home  habits.  She  need  not  attempt  to  deceive 
the  world,  with  reference  to  her  real  character,  for  she 
will  not  long  succeed.  The  opaque  mask  will  soon  be- 
come transparent.  If  she  would  stand  long,  and  high, 
in  the  better  circles  of  society,  her  public  character  must 
be  but  the  counterpart  of  her  home-life.  Such  woman- 
hood is  a  matchless  power,  for  good,  in  the  social  world. 
And,  the  higher,  and  holier  the  woman-hood,  the  wider, 
and  wiser  the  current  of  social  influence,  which  finds  in 
it  a  pure,  perennial  fountain  head. 

The  social  circle  is  a  young  woman's  throne.  Here, 
she  may  reign,  supreme.  Her  influence,  here,  may  be 
more  potent  than  that  of  princes.  Here,  she  may 
exercise  sovereignty,  no  less  powerful  than  that  of 
potentates,  but  much  more  elevating,  and  ennobling  to 
humanity.  Young  ladies,  the  social  circle  furnishes  you 
with  a  wide  field  for  usefulness.  Then,  give  much  of 
your  time,  and  talents  to  social  life.  It  will  arm  you 
with  a  mighty  power  for  good.  It  will  give  you  a  strong 
hold  upon  hearts,  that  you  ought  to  lead  to  the  cross  of 
Christ.  Your  line  of  duty  lies,  largely,  outside  the  realm 
of  literature  and  the  fine  arts.  Human  beings  are 
naturally  more  inclined  to  sociability,  than  they  are  to 
intellectuality.  Be  preeminently  social  and  you  will  win 
many  hearts.  Remember,  the  queen  of  the  social  circle 
is  not  always  the  beau,  the  belle  or  the  beauty;  but 
often  the  charming  little  lady,  who  warms,  and  wins  all 


106  VICES    AND    VIRTUES. 

hearts,  with  her  kind  words,  and  evidences  of  persona! 
interest. 

Young  ladies,  you  should  always  have  the  moral 
courage  to  reprehend  the  vices,  and  recommend  the 
virtues  of  social  life.  However,  your  social  conclusions, 
you  will  find,  are  often  at  variance  with  your  conscientious 
convictions.  But,  we  are  some  times  compelled  to 
condemn,  socially,  when  our  hearts  are  full  of  commis- 
eration, and  charity  for  an  unfortunate  victim.  We  will 
not  say,  that  this  is  as  it  should  be  ;  but,  the  good  of 
society  seems  to  demand  retribution,  in  most  cases, 
where  its  wholesome  laws  have  been  violated. 

Woman  reigns,  a  peerless  queen,  in  the  moral  realm. 
Her  influence,  and  opportunities,  in  this  sphere  are  truly, 
and  sublimely  grand.  Truly  cultured  woman-hood  is  the 
hope  of  the  moral  world.  To  it  may  be  ascribed  the 
very  highest  order  of  moral  worth.  A  good  woman 
possesses  a  power  which,  when  properly  developed,  ren- 
ders her  potent  in  her  influence  over  man. 

Young  women  must  cultivate  good  morals,  if  they 
would  exert  a  benign  influence  over  their  male  associates. 
Their  behavior  must  be  becoming,  their  manners  modest 
and  agreeable,  their  conversation  chaste  and  refined 
and  their  general  deportment  easy,  graceful  and  digni- 
fied. There  should  be  a  fitness  in  all  they  say  and  do, 
if  they  would  be  truly  good,  and  great  in  their  moral 
lives.  But,  if  their  manners  seek  for  premiums,  simply 
in  the  shape  of  compliments  ;  and  their  morals  have  an 
eye,  only  to  social  standing,  their  want  of  moral  worth 
will  soon  be  made  manifest,  and  their  moral  influence 
will  gradually  wane  to  naught,  if  it  does  not  sink  below 
zero. 


THE   CHRISTIAN    WOMAN. 

This  is  the  grace  that  gives  her  greatest  power  over  others.' 

(See  page  107.) 

10 


A    CONSECRATED    CHRISTIAN.  IO7 

Young  men  have  erected  a  very  high  standard  of 
morals  for  young  ladies,  in  comparison  with  their  own 
customs  and  habits.  They  will  not  recognize  one  of 
them  as  a  lady,  if  she  chances  to  use  tobacco,  swear  or 
get  drunk,  much  less  will  they  countenance,  or  keep 
company  with  her,  if  her  character  is  questionable. 
Young  ladies,  you  ought  to  raise  a  standurd  equally 
high  for  young  men ;  and  then  cut  short  the  acquaint- 
ance of  all  who  can  not  measure  up  to  your  righteous 
standard.  We  have  always  heard  that  it  was  a  poor 
rule,  that  will  not  work  both  ways.  And  the  good,  of 
both  sexes,  demands  a  reform  along  this  line.  The  fact 
is  this  ;  young  ladies,  who  smile  with  levity  upon  the 
looseness  of  the  lawless,  the  licentious  or  the  libertine, 
will  themselves  lower  the  dignity  of  their  moral  woman- 
hood, and  soon  loose  caste,  and  standing  in  society,  even 
in  the  eyes,  and  estimation  of  the  vulgar  and  the  vile. 

A  consecrated,  Christian  woman  is  a  spiritual  queen, 
Women  are,  naturally,  much  more  religiously  inclined 
than  men.  Loveliness  of  spirit  is  the  emblem,  and 
instrument  of  a  woman's  gravest,  and  grandest  con- 
quests. This  is  the  grace,  that  gives  her  the  greatest 
power  over  others.  She  who  possesses  it,  in  the  highest 
degree,  carries  in  her  bosom  a  charm  that  will  change 
the  mind  of  a  murderer,  bind  in  bonds,  softer  than 
velvet,  the  soul  of  a  lover  and  enthrone  her  queen  of 
the  spiritual  sphere  in  which  she  moves.  Such  a  spirit 
throws  a  spell  of  enchantment  over  all  kindred  spirits, 
and  softens  the  hardest  hearts  wherever  its  sacred  influ- 
ence is  felt. 

Woman  is  the  more  attractive,  in  the  eyes  of  man,  as 
her  heart  is  cultured,  and  her  soul  brought  under  the 


108  LOVELY    IN    LIFE. 

saving,  and  sanctifying  influence  of  divine  grace.  And, 
so  man  is  elevated,  in  woman's  estimation,  as  his  moral 
faculties  are  developed,  and  his  spiritual  powers  conse- 
crated to  the  service  of  his  Saviour.  And,  the  two 
mutually  exert  over  each  other  a  higher,  and  holier 
influence,  as  they  advance  in  the  divine  life. 

Young  ladies,  who  are  pure  at  heart  and  lovely  in 
life,  naturally  wield  a  wonderful  influence  over  their 
gentlemen  associates.  Consecrated,  Christian  wives, 
also,  exert  a  benign  influence  over  their  wicked  hus- 
bands. They  restrain  their  evil  tendencies,  check  their 
unholy  desires  and  subdue  their  dominant  passions.  So, 
a  sainted  mother's  influence  may  effect  the  life,  and 
destiny  of  her  sinful  son.  In  fact,  every  womanly  virtue, 
and  grace  has  its  sacred  influence  upon  the  world.  And, 
the  vaulted  heavens  will  one  day  ring,  with  woman's 
praises,  as  they  fall  from  the  lips  of  those  she  has  led  to 
Christ,  through  the  influence  of  her  spiritual  life. 

A  truly  pious  woman  is,  the  brightest  star  that  shines 
in  a  man's  moral  firmament.  She  is  more — she  is  a  sun 
in  the  spiritual  heavens  of  all,  who  bask  in  the  sunshine 
of  her  gracious  influence,  or  walk  in  the  sacred  precincts 
of  the  sunlight  of  her  spiritual  life  and  love.  A  man 
may  well  turn  to  such  a  woman,  as  the  perennial  fountain 
of  his  purest,  and  sweetest  earthly  joys. 

Every  worthy  Christian  woman,  with  her  heart-wealth 
and  life-work,  makes  the  world  wiser  and  better.  It  is 
not  enough,  that  such  a  woman  should  pity  the  poor. 
Her  helping  hand  is  trained  to  heed  the  pleadings  of 
her  pitying  heart.  It  cheerfully  administers  to  the 
needy,  and  destitute  around  her.  It  is  as  soft  as  silk  to 
the  fevered  brow  of  the  sick,  upon  whom  it  is  lain  in 


POTENT    POWERS.  IO9 

love.  Her  words  are  ladened  with  comfort,  for  the 
despondent ;  and  her  heart  full  of  hope,  for  the  un- 
fortunate of  earth.  She  lets  a  sense  of  duty  sink  deep 
into  her  sincere  soul,  and  runs  her  life  through  on  that 
line,  exerting  at  all  times  a  salutary  influence  upon  the 
lost  souls,  of  men  and  women,  with  whom  she  is  asso- 
ciated in  this  world.  She  lets  her  own  hope  rest, 
securely,  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages.  She  proves  as  true 
to  her  Saviour,  as  the  sun  to  his  course  in  the  heavens  ; 
and  the  world  necessarily  respects  her  person  and 
honors  her  life.  It  awards  her  a  place  among  the  great, 
and  the  good  of  her  sex,  and  she  takes  her  stand,  along 
by  the  side  of  the  leading  women  of  her  day,  beautiful, 
and  lovely  in  her  spiritual  life  and  power. 

Woman-hood's  purest,  and  most  potent  powers,  then, 
are  the  outgrowth  of  mental,  moral  and  spiritual  culture. 
A  woman  is  a  reigning  queen,  only,  when  the  mind  is 
clear,  the  heart  pure  and  the  soul  sufficiently  sanctified 
to  lift  it  to  a  throne  of  light  and  love.  Cultivation,  that 
carries  us  away  from  our  fellows  in  point  of  interest  and 
affection,  is  neither  refined  nor  genuine.  True  culture 
gives  sympathy,  and  encouragement  to  every  form,  and 
function  of  a  laborious  life.  And,  a  soft,  silvery  voice, 
giving  orders  to  a  servant,  indicates  a  well-bred  woman ; 
while  a  meek,  and  modest  spirit,  and  bearing  toward  all 
persons,  point  to  a  truly  cultured,  and  refined  lady. 

The  sexes  are  closely  related.  And,  this  relationship 
is  broader,  and  deeper  than  we  are  likely,  at  first 
thought,  to  imagine.  The  masculine,  and  feminine  ele- 
ments are  the  two  grand,  primary,  principles  in  human 
beings.  These  elements  are  absolutely  essential  to  the 
existence  of  our  race.     They  mutually  electrify,  elevate 


IIO  RELATION    OF    THE    SEXES. 

and  refine  each  other.     Men,  and  women  live  for  one 
another,  rather  than  for  themselves,  or  for  those  of  their 
own  sex.     This  was  doubtless  the  design  of  the  Creator, 
when  he  made  them   male  and  female.     For,  many  of 
the  most  potent,  and  benign  influences,  brought  to  bear 
on  human  lives,  grow  out  of  this  mysterious  relationship 
of  the  sexes.     Generous  manhood  naturally,  and  neces- 
sarily bows,  with  due  deference,  before  female  worth  and 
consecrated  woman-hood.    And,  instinctive  woman-hood, 
just  as  naturally  and  necessarily,  looks  up  with  reverence, 
and    devotion    to   the    magnanimity,    and    manliness    of 
noble   manhood.      This   is   true   alike   in   civilized,   and 
savage  life.     However,  the  influence  increases,  with  the 
progress    of  civilization    and    Christian    culture.      The 
noblest  of  men,  and  the  most  noted  women  in  the  world, 
are  most  powerfully  influenced  by  this  sexual  relation- 
ship.     They    recognize,    most    reverently,  each    others 
presence ;    and   entertain    the   highest  regard  for  each 
others  well-being  and  happiness.      At  the  same   time, 
every  thought,  with  reference  to  each  other,  is  both  pure 
and   chaste.      The  matronly  woman,   who  has  drained 
the  full  cup  of  life's  richest  experiences,  adores  man,  as 
the   best  image   of  his  Maker  to  be   found    on   earth. 
While   the   magnificent  man,  at  whose  feet  the  honors 
and  trophies  of  the  world  have  been  placed,  turns  away 
from  them  all  to  worship  at  the  sacred  shrine  of  a  worthy, 
wifely  woman-hood. 

The  influence  of  the  sexes  over  each  other,  then,  is 
potent  for  good,  in  proportion  to  the  degree  of  moral 
refinement,  and  spiritual  culture  which  exists.  Man's 
ideal  woman-hood  is  found,  neither  in  the  fair  saint,  nor 
yet  in  the  fancy  sinner — not  in  the  drudge,  neither  in 


SPECIAL    INFLUENCE.  I  1 1 

the  toy — but  in  that  cultured  companionship  which  gives 
him  a  helpmate,  who  is  his  equal,  in  all  the  elements 
essential  to  their  highest  mutual  enjoyment.  In  her, 
he  finds  all  the  wonted  graces,  and  perfections  which 
adorn  the  character,  and  honor  the  life  of  exalted 
woman-hood. 

This  accounts  for  the  special  influence  which  the  sexes 
exert  over  each  other.  All  young  women  ought  to  pos- 
sess sufficient  force  of  character,  to  enable  them  to  ex- 
ercise an  influence  over  their  male  associates,  strong 
enough  to  keep  them  from  becoming  lawless,  reckless 
rowdies.  So,  every  wife  ought  to  wield  an  influence, 
over  her  husband,  potent  enough  to  redeem  him  from 
all  the  vices,  and  vulgarities  into  which  he  may  have 
fallen.  And,  every  mother  ought  to  hold  her  sons  so 
closely,  and  firmly  to  her  maternal  heart,  that  she  might 
shield  them,  at  all  times,  from  the  snares,  and  pit-falls 
which  beset  their  pathways  on  the  right  and  the  left. 

Young  ladies  should  watch,  with  anxious  solicitude, 
the  progress  of  young  gentlemen,  in  the  respective  vo- 
cations to  which  their  lives  are  wedded,  and  upon  which 
their  fate,  fame  or  fortune  is  suspended.  A  word 
wisely  spoken,  by  one  of  them,  is  well  calculated  to  ani- 
mate the  inactive,  encourage  the  despondent  heart,  and 
lead  to  success,  where  failure  would  otherwise  be  inev- 
itable. The  hours  which  a  young  lady  spends,  in  the 
society  of  a  young  man,  should  prove  an  inspiration  to 
him.  The  influence  she  exerts  should  tend  to  elevate 
his  morals  and  refine  his  manners.  And  the  words 
she  speaks,  to  him,  should  make  him  more  active,  and 
energetic  in  the  laudable  pursuits  of  life. 

Every  wise  young  woman  will  exert  a  wonderful  in- 


I  I  2  WOMAN  S    INFLUENCE. 

fluence  over  the  young  man,  to  whom  she  is  betrothed 
for  life.  She  will  encourage  him,  in  his  intellectual  pur- 
suits, electrify  his  efforts  to  obtain  wealth,  second  his 
endeavors  to  rise  to  worldly  honors,  throw  the  whole 
weight  of  her  boundless  influence  upon  his  moral  nature 
and,  angel-like,  through  her  humble  petitions,  at  a  throne 
of  grace,  enlist  heaven  in  the  interests  of  his  immortal 
soul.  Such  a  young  lady  is  crowned  with  the  royalty 
of  true  woman-hood  ;  and  she  will  never  rest  contented, 
until  her  lover  wears  the  badge  indicative  of  his  loyalty 
to  all  the  claims  of  noble  manhood. 

The  wife,  who  understands  thoroughly  her  husband's 
business,  and  is  deeply  interested  in  the  same,  is  a 
constant  inspiration,  forcing  him  to  act  well  his  part  on 
the  stage  of  life.  In  fact,  all  women  exert  a  powerful 
influence  over  some  one.  The  influence  of  a  servant- 
girl  may  be  just  as  potential,  in  her  sphere,  as  is  that 
of  a  queen,  in  her  more  exalted,  and  enlarged  circle 
of  society.  Women  are  weak  creatures  ;  but  they  wield 
an  influence  that  is  potent  for  good,  or  evil  wherever 
they  go.  Their  influence  is  absolutely  wonderful.  This 
influence  wants  to  be  clothed  with  executive  authority, 
then,  it  will  exert  the  resistless  power  of  full  grown 
woman-hood. 

Woman-hood  is  on  the  up  grade  in  this  country.  The 
ways  of  women  are  advancing,  with  the  progress  of  the 
age.  A  lady  must,  now,  have  force  of  character,  or  she 
is,  sadly,  deficient  in  one  of  the  most  essential  elements 
of  modern  woman-hood.  The  education  of  women  is 
rapidly  improving  ;  and  they  are  fast  entering  new  fields 
of  labor.  Our  best  colleges,  and  universities  are  open- 
ing their  doors  to  them  ;  and  all  the  learned  professions 


THE    TERMINUS    OF    TIME.  II3 

are  inviting  them  to  enter,  and  compete  with  their 
brothers  for  the  honors,  and  emoluments  of  life,  which 
they  offer  to  the  successful  of  both  sexes.  These 
changes  are,  constantly,  calling  for  the  culture  of  new 
forces  in  the  female  character.  Women  are  wisely,  and 
rapidly  entering  the  arena  of  literary  life.  Hence,  their 
latent  energies  find  ample  scope  for  activity  and  enlarge- 
ment. In  the  broad  realm  of  education,  woman  has  al- 
ready left  the  secret  imprint  of  her  head,  and  the  sacred 
impress  of  her  heart. 

Every  young  lady  should  determine  to  do  something, 
for  the  advancement,  and  elevation  of  her  sex.  She 
should,  at  least,  resolve  to  possess  the  rarest  virtues,  and 
richest  graces  of  true,  and  exalted  woman-hood.  It  is 
not  enough,  that  the  young  women  of  any  generation  be 
what  their  mothers  were.  They  must  be  more  than  their 
equals.  The  spirit,  of  each  successive  age,  demands  of 
woman  a  higher  order  of  character  and  life — a  more 
vigorous,  virtuous  and  valiant  woman-hood.  The  princely 
car  of  progress,  bearing  woman  to  a  higher  life  and  a 
holier  destiny,  rolls  grandly  on,  with  many  a  sweep,  and 
curve  toward  the  terminus  of  time. 

To  young  woman-hood,  the  future  is  ever  radiant  and 
fair.  The  rain-bow  of  hope  hangs,  visibly,  upon  the 
brow  of  all  life's  gathering  storms.  But,  she,  too  often, 
finds  life,  like  a  lovely  lane  through  which  we  hasten, 
hoping  to  reach  fairer  scenes  beyond,  only  to  pass  out, 
at  length,  into  a  bleak  and  barren  waste.  To  woman, 
the  voyage  of  life  is  most  uncertain.  Reverses  in 
fortune,  or  deprivation,  by  death,  may  leave  her,  at  any 
time,  to  the  mercies  of  a  heartless  world.  She  ought 
to  be  prepared  for  any,  and  every  emergency  of  life. 


114  HEALTH    IMPORTANT. 

She  should  have  something  to  which  she  might  turn  her 
hands,  successfully,  at  any  time,  for  a  livelihood,  if  it  be- 
comes necessary. 

Health  is  of  paramount  importance  to  woman-hood. 
All  the  active  duties  of  life  are  dependent  upon  physical 
strength,  for  their  performance.  There  is  but  one  way, 
for  a  woman  to  use  the  force  of  a  faultless  character,  to 
the  best  possible  advantage  ;  and  that  is  through  the 
medium  of  a  well  developed  physical  body.  There  are 
just  five,  avenues  through  which  the  enemy  may  enter, 
and  capture  the  citadel  of  life.  These  are  the  brain, 
bowels,  heart,  lungs  and  urinary  organs.  If  any  of  these 
parts  are  weak,  or  diseased,  give  them  special  attention, 
and  you  may  prevent  premature  death.  Wisely  used, 
the  world  will  use  women  well.  It  will  make  them 
healthy,  happy  and  useful.  It  will  lead  them  where 
angels  keep  watch,  and  ward  over  them  in  every  good 
word,  and  work  in  which  they  engage. 

Dress  is  a  reforming,  and  refining  agent,  when  not 
carried  to  excess.  It  adds  much  to  the  beauty,  and  at- 
tractiveness of  women,  when  worn  in  modesty.  They 
owe  it  to  themselves,  and  their  friends  to  dress  neatly 
and  nicely.  And,  if  able  to  afford  it,  it  is  proper,  and 
right  that  they  should  dress  handsomely,  or  even  ele- 
gantly, if  they  choose  to  do  so.  The  Creator  is  a  lover  of 
dress.  The  beautiful  robes,  with  which  he  has  adorned 
nature,  attest  this  fact.  Every  flower  has  its  rich,  and 
varied  hues  ;  every  fowl  of  the  air,  has  its  lovely  shade 
of  coloring,  and  every  star,  in  the  heavens  above  us,  is 
veiled  in  the  brilliancy  of  unfading  glory.  In  fact,  all 
nature  is  mantled  in  matchless  beauty,  and  crowned  with 
radiant  glories. 


DRESS  REFORMING    AND    REFINING.  I  1 5 

But,  women  should  dress  becomingly,  and  comfortably, 
so  as  not  to  injure  the  body,  corrupt  the  morals,  or 
degrade  society.  Ladies,  if  you  have  any  concern  about 
your  health,  and  happiness  in  the  years  to  come,  do  not 
suffer  the  damp  winter  winds  to  bathe  your  bare  arms, 
kiss,  wantonly,  your  naked  necks,  or  visit,  rudely,  snow 
white  bosoms,  veiled  only  in  gossamer  gauze.  Do  not 
wear  heavy  weights  around  your  slender  waists,  if  you 
would  be  free  from  weak  backs,  and  wakeful  nights  in 
after-life.  Young  ladies,  keep  your  feet  warm  and  dry, 
the  head  well  protected  from  the  damp  dews  of  night 
and  the  entire  body  comfortably  clad,  on  all  occasions, 
and  you  may  be  healthy,  and  happy  for  years  to  come. 
If  women  would  always  dress  thus,  the  bloom  of  youth- 
ful beauty  would  linger,  lovingly,  upon  their  fair  brows, 
and  the  roses  of  health  remain,  long,  upon  their  blush- 
ing cheeks. 

Women  want  to  learn,  that  dame  fashion,  with  all  her 
gleam  and  glitter,  is  no  crown  of  glory  ;  but  the  queen 
of  folly,  who  numbers  her  subjects  by  the  millions. 
The  votaries,  at  her  shameful  shrine,  are  from  both 
sexes  ;  and  their  numbers  are  legions.  There  is  but 
little,  if  any  real  pleasure  for  her  deceived  devotees. 
Her  victims  may  be  seen,  among  the  suicides,  on  every 
hand.  Remove  the  false  mantle  which  has  fallen,  like  a 
glittering,  gorgeous  canopy,  over  the  fashionable  world, 
and  you  will  find  aching  voids  in  the  bleeding  hearts  of 
the  millions  of  crushed,  and  criminal  sons,  and  daughters 
of  old  dame  fashion. 

All  women  want  to  be  happy.  It  is  the  one  prevalent 
desire  of  the  female  heart,  in  which  all  other  desires 
center.     It  is,  with  too  many  persons,  regardless  of  sex, 


Il6  HAPPINESS. 

the  sum,  and  substance  of  life.  They  seek  for  it,  as  for 
fine  gold.  But,  as  a  rule,  when  happiness  comes,  at 
all,  it  comes  unsought.  The  most  favorable  circum- 
stances, and  the  most  faultless  lives  do  not,  always, 
bring  this  coveted  prize.  Its  existence  does  not  depend 
so  much,  upon  our  environments,  as  we  are  likely  to 
imagine.  Women,  in  the  humbler  walks  of  life,  often 
possess  richer  minds,  exhibit  sweeter  spirits  and  mani- 
fest much  more  magnanimity  of  soul,  than  do  some  who 
revel,  the  year  round,  in  the  luxuries  of  wealth  and  the 
most  magnificent  surroundings.  Women  simply  want 
to  make  the  best  possible  use  of  life's  opportunities,  in 
order  to  be  holiest  here,  and  happiest  hereafter.  They 
want  to  make  happiness  a  secondary  consideration, 
through  this  life,  that  they  may  be  infinitely  happy,  in 
the  life  to  come.  They  want  to  cultivate  a  cheerful, 
buoyant,  hopeful  spirit  at  all  times  :  for,  the  most  morbid 
and  moody  minds  are,  under  all  circumstances,  unfitted 
for  earthly  enjoyment ;  much  less  are  they  prepared  for 
heavenly  happiness.  Such  people  drown  present  pleas- 
ures, in  the  sad  memories  of  past  miseries,  or  the  dread 
anticipations  of  future  misfortunes. 

And  yet,  happiness  is  not  all  reserved  for  heaven. 
Our  hands,  and  heads  are  full  of  means  calculated  to 
compass  the  end  ;  and  our  hearts,  and  homes  ought  to 
glow  with  joy,  and  gladness  here  on  earth.  The  true 
philosophy  of  life  is  found,  in  the  faithful  discharge  of 
every  known  duty;  and  happiness  follows,  as  a  legiti- 
mate result.  To  forget  present  duties,  in  future  and 
far-off  visions,  is  to  forfeit  enjoyment  already  at  hand, 
for  anticipated  happiness,  which  may  never  be  reached. 

Enjoyment  will  not  always  make  its  appearance,  in 


BUSIEST    AND    BEST    DAYS.  I  I  7 

the  way  we  wish  it  to  come.  Our  plans,  and  purposes 
must  often  be  defeated  ;  and  our  hopes,  and  harvests 
occasionally  blighted  and  blasted,  before  we  can  be 
completely  happy.  The  legitimate  labors  of  life,  alone, 
will  bring  unalloyed  happiness.  And,  those,  who  are 
not  willing  to  pay  the  price,  need  not  hope  to  win  the 
prize.  We  may  all  be  happy,  if  we  will  only  buckle  on 
the  whole  armor  of  life,  and  let  no  misfortune  weigh  us 
down  to  the  earth.  The  happiest  hours,  of  woman- 
hood-life, are  its  holiest  hours.  The  days  which  bring 
most  light,  and  sunshine,  to  a  woman's  soul,  are  her 
busiest,  and  best  days  on  earth.  The  swift-winged 
years,  which  fill  our  own  lives  fullest  of  joy  and  glad- 
ness, are  those  in  which  we  shed  most  light  upon  the 
pathways  of  our  fellow  pilgrims,  as  they  cross,  with  us, 
the  desert  wastes  of  time. 

The  truly  happy  woman  has  a  warm,  and  welcoming 
heart,  that  lights  her  fair  face  with  sunshine,  amid  the 
darkest  scenes,  and  softens  her  helping  hands  to  tender- 
ness, in  the  most  trying  ordeals  of  life.  She  always  has 
a  pure,  serene  spirit ;  chaste  in  thought,  calm  in  conduct 
and  submissive  in  manners.  She  has  a  heart  that  melts 
at  others'  woes  :  and  a  soul  that  rejoices  in  the  joy  of 
others. 

Human  life  is  always  in  motion.  Its  movements 
should  ever  be  in  harmony  with  the  surrounding  scenes, 
which  are  calculated  to  drive  back  the  drifting  clouds  of 
gloom,  and  light  up  the  soul  with  the  radiant  glories  of 
the  noon-day  sun. 

But,  some  people  are  never  happy.  In  fact,  they  are 
very  unhappy,  because  they  multiply  a  few  molehill 
troubles    into    myriads,  then    magnify    the    same,  into 


Il8  MOLEHILLS    AND    MOUNTAINS.- 

mountains  ;  and  sit  down  in  their  dark  shadows,  to  weep, 
and  wail  over  the  woes  of  their  own  melancholy  imagi- 
nations. Do  not  allow  yourselves  to  look  on  the  gloomy 
side  of  life.  If  the  sun  is  down,  then  look  at  the  moon 
and  stars.  If  the  earth  is  dark  turn  your  eyes  toward 
heaven.  Others  are  unhappy,  because  they  are  un- 
healthy. Sorrow  reaches  the  soul,  through  the  afflictions 
of  the  body.  And,  the  chidings,  and  fears  of  the  spirit, 
like  the  chills,  and  fever  of  the  body,  shake,  and  shatter 
our  vital  powers  to  their  very  center.  Health,  and 
happiness,  as  a  rule,  go  hand  in  hand.  A  woman  must 
be  hale,  and  hearty,  if  she  would  be  cheerful  and 
happy. 

Happiness,  when  sought  for  its  own  sake,  is  a  coy 
bird,  always  near,  but  ever  eluding  your  anxious  grasp. 
Follow  it  up  ;  and,  like  the  rainbow  it  recedes  as  you 
advance.  Attempt  to  lay  your  hand  hastily  upon  it; 
and  it  bounds  away,  like  the  wild  gazelle  of  the  moun- 
tain. You  can  never  capture  it.  You  need  not  ex- 
pect to  enjoy  its  blessings,  save  in  the  discharge  of 
life's  arduous  duties.  The  only  way  to  obtain  happiness 
is,  to  seek  for  holiness.  They  are  twin  sisters,  and  as 
inseparable  as  the  three  graces,  faith,  hope  and  charity. 
Then,  live  a  holy  life,  and  you  will  be  supremely  happy  ; 
if  not  in  this  world,  then  in  the  world  to  come. 

All  women  ought  to  be  industrious.  Laziness  leads 
to  ignorance  and  effeminacy,  neither  of  which  can  make 
a  woman  more  womanly ;  or,  in  any  way,  add  to  her 
real  worth,  or  elevate  her  ladyship.  The  active  do- 
mestic duties  of  life,  faithfully  discharged  by  a  young 
woman,  do  not  render  her  unlady-like,  in  the  estima- 
tion of  sensible  people  ;  but  they  rather  add  grace,  and 


WORKING    WOMEN.  II9 

dignity  to  her  nobility  of  character.  Every  young  lady 
should  acquire  a  perfect  knowledge  of  all  domestic  du- 
ties. They  should  be  able  to  order,  or  cook  a  good 
meal,  at  any  time,  without  stopping  to  consult  their 
cook-books  or  annoy  their  neighbors.  But,  too  many 
young  ladies  are  leading  lazy,  listless,  lounging  lives. 
Such  idle,  indolent  creatures  can  never  develop  into  a 
virtuous,  fruitful,  and  generous  woman-hood.  Work,  in 
a  great  measure,  makes  the  woman.  The  fearless 
women,  who  have  dared  to  do,  with  their  might,  what 
their  hands  found  to  do,  have  been  the  strong,  brave 
and  honored  women,  whom  the  world  has  recognized 
among  its  greatest  benefactors. 

Work  is  the  primary  element  in  woman's  success  :  it 
is  the  grand,  molding  influence  of  her  life.  There  are 
many  means  which  she  may  use,  as  secondary  elements 
to  right  living  ;  but  constant  employment,  in  some  suit- 
able avocation  or  profession,  is,  preeminently,  the  pri- 
mary essential  to  permanent  prosperity,  and  happiness 
for  woman.  Her  fairest  virtues  bloom,  and  blossom 
only  in  the  cultured  garden  of  ceaseless  activities.  Her 
choice  fruitage  grows,  only  upon  the  bended  boughs 
of  ardent  industry.  Her  richest,  and  rarest  treasures 
are  to  be  found,  only  in  the  hands  of  life-long  labor- 
ers. Women  should  not  be  slaves.  Toil  demands  too 
much  of  a  woman's  time.  Hardships  burden  her  heart 
too  heavily.  But,  legitimate  labor  lengthens  her  days, 
and  crowns  her  life  with  glory  and  honor. 

A  woman,  with  nothing  to  do,  is  simply  the  shadow 
of  what  she  ought  to  be.  She  is  doffing  her  nobility 
of  character,  day  by  day ;  her  strength  of  mind  is  con- 
stantly growing  weaker,  and  she  will  soon  be  a  helpless 


120  THE    INDUSTRIOUS    HOUSEKEEPER. 

imbecile,  with  her  hopes  all  hanging  upon  the  charities 
of  others,  or  lying  forever  blasted,  at  the  shrine  of  pas- 
sion's controlling  power.  Such  women,  too  often,  allow 
the  world  to  steal  away  their  heedless,  and  hollow 
hearts.  Young  woman-hood  wants  strength  of  wing, 
and  power  of  endurance  to  enable  her  to  bear  life's 
long,  and  lofty  flight.  And,  intellectual,  and  manual 
labor  are  absolutely  essential  to  the  acquisition  of  this 
power. 

Woman's  work  is  both  arduous  and  unending.  She 
can  always  find  something  else  to  do.  There  are  a 
thousand  and  one  things  which  draw  upon  her  time  and 
energies,  that  are  never  taken  into  consideration  by  the 
majority  of  men.  Hence,  the  general  impression,  among 
them,  that  women  have  a  comparatively  easy  time  house- 
keeping. Let  the  man,  who  thinks  his  busy  house- 
wife's work  light,  and  of  little  importance  any  way, 
just  change  places  with  her  for  a  few  days,  or  even 
share,  daily  for  a  time,  the  many  burdens  she  bears,  and 
he  will  soon  sing  a  softer  song,  that  will  soothe,  rather 
than  sadden  her  aching  heart.  The  industrious  house- 
keeper eats  but  little  idle  bread.  We  have  just  re- 
turned from  the  garden  with  a  mess  of  peas  picked 
with  our  own  fingers,  made  up  the  bed  and  straightened 
up  the  room,  with  our  own  hands,  and  we  are  ready 
to  testify  to  the  fact,  that  woman's  work  is  no  child's 
play,  to  say  the  least  of  it.  But  industry,  upon  the  part 
of  woman-hood,  is  one  of  the  safeguards  to  virtue,  with 
all  its  kindred  graces ;  while  idleness  is  an  open  door 
to  vice,  with  its  long  line  of  vulgarities.  The  spindle, 
and  the  distaff  have  shielded  many  a  fair  maiden,  from 
the  fatal  snares  of  the  tempter, 


WOMAN  S    NATURAL    ENDOWMENTS.  I  2  I 

Every  woman  should  have  some  means  of  self-sup- 
port. This  would  give  them  more  independence.  Such 
women  would  not  feel  forced  to  accept  the  first  offer  of 
marriage,  for  fear  the  second  chance  would  never  come. 
The  best  way  for  a  woman  to  be  of  real  service  to  the 
world,  when  denied  the  privilege  of  being  an  honored 
wife  and  loving  mother,  is  to  devote  herself  to  some 
useful  calling  or  profession,  which  promises  a  support 
for  herself,  and  a  surplus  for  those  who  may  be  de- 
pendent upon  her.  With  her  hands,  her  head,  or  her 
heart,  she  ought  to  be  prepared  for  any,  and  every 
emergency  of  life.  But,  so  far,  woman  has  been  denied 
the  privilege  of  entering  many  fields  of  activity,  and 
usefulness  for  which  she  is  eminently  qualified,  by  her 
natural  endowments.  There  are  over  two  million  wage- 
working  women  in  this  country,  who  support  them- 
selves ;  and  some  of  them,  their  husbands  and  children, 
with  their  own  hands.  Many  of  them  might  make  a 
living  much  easier  as  clerks,  book-keepers  or  school 
teachers,  if  they  had  only  prepared  themselves  for  these 
positions. 

Women  were  made  to  love,  and  be  loved.  The 
strength  of  a  woman's  affection  is  naturally  very  great. 
She  often  loves  with  an  irresistible  force  or  impulse. 
Her  entire  being  is  involved  in  her  affections.  Her 
love  should  be  as  the  love  of  an  angel.  Her  bosom 
should  beat,  only,  in  response  to  worth  of  character, 
beauty  of  soul  and  excellence  of  life.  She  should  not 
waste  her  affections  on  worthless  objects.  She  should 
not  allow  herself  to  love  the  impure,  or  immoral  of  either 
sex.  She  may  pity  the  corrupt,  pardon  the  offender 
and  sympathize  with  the  unrighteous.  She  may  also 
11 


122  SUNSHINE    AND    SHADOWS. 

admire  elegant  dress,  charming  manners  and  per- 
sonal beauty.  But,  a  true  woman's  love  is  too  precious 
to  be  wasted  on  anything  short  of  its  legitimate  object — 
wealth  of  mind,  and  worth  of  morals.  Such  a  woman 
will  not  flirt,  but  deal  fairly  with  her  lover.  She  will 
manifest  a  candor  that  will  win  his  confidence,  and  an 
integrity  that  will  never  betray  his  trust. 

Woman  wants  a  cultured  heart.  Her  wealth  is  treas- 
ured there.  Her  secret  power  lies  hidden  there.  Only 
let  her  heart  bloom,  and  blossom  as  the  rose,  even  in 
the  bleakness  of  winter,  and  she  will  prove  to  be  a  beau- 
tiful oasis,  in  the  dreary  desert  of  life.  And,  just  as  she 
cheers,  and  comforts  other  hearts,  will  she  win  the  ad- 
miration of  those  around  her,  and  wield  her  matchless 
influence  over  the  lives  of  the  worldly  and  wicked.  A 
woman,  without  love  in  her  heart,  is  like  a  world  without 
a  sun  ;  or,  rather,  like  a  night  as  dark  as  a  myriad  of 
nights  in  one.  Love  is  life's  ruling  element.  Without  it, 
faith  is  wanting,  hope  is  aimless  and  man  is  miserable.. 
Love  is  humanity's  sun,  bright  and  beautiful  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  warm,  but  welcome  at  the  noon-tide,  and  soft,  and 
soothing  in  the  evening  of  life's  long,  and  yet  lengthen- 
ing day.  Love  blends  young  hearts  in  blissful  unity  ; 
cements  the  same  in  middle  age,  and  seals  them  one  for- 
ever, as  they  near  the  peaceful   shores   of  eternity. 

Woman-hood,  destitute  of  love,  as  a  religious  principle, 
is  necessarily  imperfect.  The  sentiment  of  love  may 
be  well  developed ;  and  love,  as  a  passion,  may  reign 
supreme  ;  but  without  the  sacred  influence  of  divine  love, 
in  the  heart,  and  over  the  life  of  a  woman,  there  will  be 
but  little  sunshine,  and  many  shadows  across  her 
checkered  pathway  through  this  wicked  world. 


SOCIAL    SISTERS.  I  23 

Young  woman,  be  a  sister  to  your  brothers.  Let  them 
feel  the  full  force  of  a  sister's  life.  Be  a  social  sister, 
and  they  will  seek,  rather  than  shun  your  society.  Be 
their  guardian  angel,  and  they  will  always  honor  your 
presence.  Be  a  loving  companion,  and  they  will  give 
you  their  confidence,  and  love  in  return.  Mutual  good, 
as  well  as  mutual  pleasure,  must  be  the  result  of  such 
sisterly  interest.  If  your  brother  chances  to  be  younger 
than  yourself,  then  prove  to  be  his  tenderest,  and  most 
sympathetic  friend  ;  and  he  will  readily  accept  you,  as 
one  of  his  wisest,  and  most  worthy  counsellors.  Do  not 
hesitate  to  take  him  into  the  very  best  circles  of  society ; 
and  then  see  that  he  forms  the  most  desirable  acquaint- 
ances. Cultivate,  in  this  way,  his  manners,  if  you  would 
not,  in  after  years,  deplore  his  morals,  and  mourn  over 
his  follies  and  misfortunes.  But,  best  of  all,  young  men 
believe  that  the  best  sisters  make  the  best  wives.  And 
they  are  exactly  right. 

An  affectionate  sister's  charms,  over  a  dovoted 
brother's  life,  are  both  subtile  and  sublime.  Then,  sis- 
ter, shield  your  brother  from  the  sinful  of  your  own  sex, 
with  the  sweetest,  purest  example  of  woman-hood-life. 
Let  him  find,  in  you,  the  grace  you  would  have  him  seek 
in  another.  Let  your  life  so  elevate  his  ideal  of  exalted 
woman-hood,  that  he  will  select  a  perfect  queen  for  his 
wife. 

Women  ought  to  exercise  a  great  deal  of  common 
sense  in  all  the  ways,  and  walks  of  life.  More  of  this 
valuable  article  would,  wonderfully,  improve  the  conduct 
of  many  of  them,  regulate  their  tempers,  and  keep  them 
within  the  limits  of  prudence  and  propriety.  Common 
sense  gives  a  woman  self-control.      Every  young  lady, 


124  PRUDENCE    AND    PROPRIETY. 

in  the  land,  should  mount  this  throne,  and  reign  a  queen 
over  her  own  passions  and  powers,  if  she  ever  hopes  to 
reign  successfully  over  the  heart,  and  home  of  another. 
The  struggle  for  self-control  may  be  severe ;  but,  if  so, 
the  victory  will  only  be  the  greater  and  the  grander: 
and  the  chief  glory  of  woman-hood  can  never  be  yours 
without  this  victory.  The  true  mission,  of  the  young 
woman,  is  a  high  and  holy  one ;  and  she  should  not 
spend  her  precious  moments  in  the  idle  frivolities  of  the 
day.  She  should  make  her  life  radiant  with  every  social 
virtue,  and  beautiful  with  those  simple  adornments,  with 
which  nature  is  so  prolific. 

Women  ought  to  move,  through  the  world,  like  a 
band  of  music,  making  melody  for  all  they  meet  on  the 
highway  of  life.  They  should  move  with  as  little  friction 
as  possible.  Heated  bearings  are  hard  on  the  minds, 
and  hearts  of  women.  They  soon  wear  away  a  woman's 
feeble  energies;  and  a  break-down  is  the  reasonable 
result.  The  wheels  of  life  must  be  kept  cool,  if  we 
would  run,  on  heaven's  schedule,  over  the  track  of  time. 
Women  should  move,  like  golden  lamps  on  the  silvery 
sea  of  space,  if  they  would  have  their  lives  shine  like 
morning  stars  and  melt  the  hearts  of  others,  like  songs 
sung  by  sainted  seraphs.  Worth,  and  wisdom  are  two 
golden  wings,  upon  which  such  a  woman  may  sail  suc- 
cessfully over  the  sunny,  or  sombre  sea  of  life.  If 
sorrow  beclouds  her  pathway,  out  of  the  darkness  will 
come  jewels  to  crown  her  brow,  beacons  to  guide  her 
feet  and  stars  to  light  up  her  pathway  to  the  better 
world.  The  gathering  clouds  will  often  roll  back, 
before  the  sunshine  of  her  presence,  and  the  shad- 
ows flee   away,  chased   by  her  animating  smiles.     Her 


WOMEN    WANT    TO    MARRY.  1 25 

courtesy  is  a  coin,  current  in  all  countries.  It  is  more 
valuable  than  much  fine  gold.  It  is  the  circulating 
medium,  among  friends  and  strangers,  in  every  land  on 
the  globe. 

Virtue  is  a  woman's  crowning  grace.  It  is  her  chief 
ornament.  A  virtuous  woman  is  the  guardian  genius  of 
unprotected  manhood.  The  victims  of  vice  are  always 
wanting,  either  in  the  quantity,  or  quality  of  their 
virtues.  There  is  a  loose,  lazy  sort  of  virtue  which 
courts  vice,  and  then  too  readily  yields  to  its  vile  seduc- 
tions. And,  when  such  an  unfortunate  one  falls,  she  is 
too  often  shunned  by  her  sisters  as  a  viper,  while  they 
receive  her  vile  seducer,  into  their  society,  and  laud,  and 
lionize  the  heartless  libertine,  who  would  just  as  willingly 
rob  them  of  their  virtue.  But,  there  is  a  virtue  which 
always  commands  respect — a  virtue  that  readily  subdues, 
and  conquers  vice.  It  is  the  virtue  of  a  pure,  generous, 
devoted,  spiritual  woman-hood.  Such  virtue  will  vanish 
the  enemies'  every  overture  ;  and  strengthen  its  walls  of 
defense,  in  every  victory. 

The  wisest,  and  best  women  in  the  world  want  to 
marry.  It  is  right  that  they  should  have  such  desires. 
God  intended  that  they  should  become  wives,  and 
mothers  of  their  own  choice.  But,  they  know  that 
marriage  is  one  of  the  most  important  steps  a  woman 
ever  takes.  Hence,  they  are  very  careful  in  selecting 
companions  for  life.  They  are  sure  the  spring  of  ardent 
affection  has  been  touched,  by  the  finger  of  a  congenial, 
loving  spirit,  before  they  consent  to  enter  the  alliances 
of  matrimony.  This  is  indeed  the  manifestation  of 
wisdom,  upon  the  part  of  any  woman. 

Young  lady,  when  you  find  a  man,   whose  life's  de 


126  SUITABLE    COMPANIONS. 

meanor  fills  your  ideal  of  manhood,  and  whose  soul 
responds  to  the  yearnings  of  your  own  true  love,  you 
have  found  a  man  who  will  make  you  a  good,  kind  hus- 
band. Your  characters  will  blend  in  perfect  harmony: 
your  lives  will  mingle  together,  like  two  streams  of  run- 
ning water,  and  flow  on  with  a  common  purpose,  toward 
a  similar  destiny.  Such  a  union  is  replete  with  the 
richest,  ripest  joys  the  earth  can  yield. 

The  marriage  day  throws  its  sunshine,  or  shadows  far 
down  the  pathway  of  a  blessed,  or  blighted  life.  Wed- 
ding bells,  too  often,  ring  out  the  funeral  dirges  of 
happiness,  rather  than  the  merry  peals  of  consummated 
love.  United  hearts  should  always  beat  in  perfect  har- 
mony. For,  where  the  music  is  discordant,  love  will 
never  rule  the  wedded  life.  There  must  be  harmony, 
if  there  is  happiness,  in  this  sacred  relation.  The 
married  life  ought  to  be  the  purest,  and  happiest  of  all 
lives.  The  married  relation  is  the  nearest,  and  should 
be  held  as  the  dearest  relation  we  sustain  to  each  other 
on  earth.  Its  debts  are  the  most  binding,  and  its  duties 
the  most  sacred  pertaining,  solely,  to  this  life.  The  two 
lives  should'  sweetly  blend  together,  in  a  love  in  which 
they  would  both  be  lost  in  one. 

The  wise  wife  has  no  secret  to  conceal,  from  her  hus- 
band. She  always  admits  him  to  her  fullest  confidence. 
Neither  will  she  ever  betray  the  confidence  he  reposes 
in  her,  or  whisper  to  others  the  little  wrongs  of  which 
he  may  be  guilty. 

The  newly  married  couple  stand  in  the  vestibule  of 
real  life,  anticipating,  it  may  be,  the  joys  of  the  near  fu- 
ture. Marriage  will  take  them,  by  the  hand,  and  lead 
them  into  life's  great  temple  of  active  duties,  where  the 


SELECTING    COMPANIONS.  I  27 

lavishings  of  love  will  soon  be  followed,  by  the  disci- 
pline of  distress  and  the  experience  of  self-denial.  In 
this  relation  the  two  stand,  face  to  face  or  side  by  side, 
in  the  great  battles  of  life.  Their  passions,  and  their 
powers  come  in  daily  contact.  Their  inclinations,  and 
aspirations  lie  side  by  side  ;  or  else,  they  cross  each 
other,  in  the  struggles  of  life.  Their  propensities,  and 
prerogatives  press  against  each  other,  to  please  or 
plague,  to  cheer  or  chide,  to  help  or  hinder  in  the  race 
of  life.  Their  tastes,  and  tendencies  will  either  blend 
in  concord,  or  rankle  in  discord.  Their  union  will 
either  be  congenial,  and  a  happy  one  ;  or  it  will  prove 
an  unnatural,  and  a  disagreeable  one. 

If  a  young  woman  wants  stability,  and  force  of  char- 
acter, a  man  might  as  well  trust  the  winds,  bestow  his 
affections  upon  the  vanishing  rain-bow,  or  wed  the 
swiftly  flying  clouds,  as  to  hope  for  happiness  at  her 
hands.  While,  on  the  other  hand,  many  of  the  fairest, 
and  purest  blossoms  of  woman-hood  have  withered,  and 
wasted  their  sweetness,  on  the  desert  air,  simply  for 
want  of  a  true  hand  to  pluck,  and  a  faithful  heart  to 
praise  them  through  life. 

In  selecting  companions  for  life,  human  heads  should 
always  wait  the  propelling  power  of  loving  hearts. 
Then,  there  would  be  fewer  divorce  suits  in  our  courts. 
The  heart,  as  well  as  the  head,  must  be  consulted,  if  the 
union  be  a  desirable,  and  happy  one.  Let  love  lift  her 
silver  voice,  and  manifest  her  sweetest  spirit,  in  every 
department  of  married  life,  and  that  life  will  be  blessed, 
and  blissful  beyond  its  own  power  of  expression.  The 
duties,  and  obligations,  growing  out  of  this  sacred  re- 
lationship,  should   be    carefully  studied    and    faithfully 


128  THE    BEAUTIFUL    BRIDE. 

discharged,  by  all  who  would  share  its  richest  rewards, 
and  enjoy  its  choicest  blessings. 

A  woman  is  seldom  happier,  and  never  lovelier,  than 
when  decked  in  her  bridal  robes.  She  is  then  the  center 
of  attraction,  to  the  young  and  the  old,  to  friends  and 
strangers.  She  is  the  gayest  of  the  gay,  and  the  hap- 
piest of  the  happy.  Her  life,  at  length,  is  crowned  with 
love's  gilded  bow  of  promise.  Her  snow-white  brow  is 
wreathed,  with  the  garlands  of  fairest  beauty.  And  her 
happy  heart  beats  high,  with  hope,  as  she  anticipates 
the  rapturous  joys  of  coming  years.  None  are  happier 
now,  or  more  hopeful  as  to  the  future  of  life  than  she, 
save  it  be  the  fortunate  bridegroom,  who  knows  that  he 
has  gotten  the  best  end  of  the  bargain.  But,  why  not 
be  happy  and  hopeful!  She  is  indeed  a  being  of  beauty, 
and  of  promise.  Her  sweet  spirited  face,  in  its  wonted 
innocence,  her  dark  brown  eyes,  with  their  silken  lashes, 
her  rose-bud  lips,  and  teeth  of  pearl  crown  her  the 
queen  of  beauty.  Her  form,  and  features  are  all  those 
of  a  buoyant,  beautiful  bride,  upon  whose  soft,  and 
gentle  brow  sits  a  coronet  of  love. 

Women  ought  to  read  a  great  deal.  They  can  not 
afford  to  do  otherwise.  The  young  lady,  who  leaves 
school,  with  a  fixed  purpose  to  devote  her  time,  and 
talents  to  the  further  development  of  her  mental,  and 
moral  faculties,  will  gradually  gain  strength,  and  force  of 
character,  by  reading  good  books,  until  she  will  finally 
take  her  place,  among  the  truly  learned,  useful  and 
honored  women  of  her  *ge. 

Young  ladies,  read  much ;  but  do  not  read  solely  for 
pastime.  Read  rather  for  profit — for  information.  Read 
history,    science,    medicine,    law    and    theology,    if   you 


NO    NOVEL    READING.  I  29 

would  feed  the  mind  and  soul,  and  develop  a  pure,  ex- 
alted woman-hood.  But,  in  all  your  reading,  do  not 
neglect  the  Bible.  For,  of  all  the  good  books,  it  is  the 
best  adapted  to  the  culture  of  both  the  head,  and  the 
heart  of  woman-hood.  And,  there  is  nothing  deeper, 
broader,  fuller  or  more  comprehensive  than  the  glorious 
Gospel  of  Christ,  in  which  there  is  such  infinite  power 
to  strengthen,  and  sustain  nobility  of  character  and 
purity  of  life.  Shun  novels,  as  you  would  the  dark 
shadows  of  the  deadly  upas  tree.  They  are  but  the 
advance  guards  of  an  invading  army,  which  will  kill 
out  every  generous  emotion,  and  womanly  instinct  of 
the  soul. 

That  reading  is  worse  than  worthless,  which  does  not 
teach  one  to  think,  establish  opinion,  deepen  sentiment, 
form  character  and  give  direction  to  the  general  current 
of  life.  Then,  young  ladies,  do  not  give  the  golden 
moments  of  your  young  lives  to  the  silly,  senseless 
novels  of  the  day  :  but  rather  aspire  to  something  no- 
bler and  grander  ;  and  store  your  minds  with  the  great 
lessons  of  life,  which  are  absolutely  essential  to  the  ex- 
istence of  true,  noble  and  generous  woman-hood.  The 
day  is  coming,  and  may  not  be  far  distant,  when  women 
will  be  no  less  proud  of  having  never  read  a  useless 
novel,  than  some  men  are,  to-day,  of  the  fact,  that  they 
were  never  under  the  influence  of  intoxicating  liquors. 
God  speed  the  dawning  of  this  desirable  day!  A 
woman's  life  should  not  be  a  tragedy;  neither  should  it 
be  a  farce ;  but  a  grand  and  glorious  reality.  The 
books  you  read  will  give  course,  and  current  to  the 
thoughts,  and  purposes  of  life.  The  fewest  of  novels 
are  pure  and  good ;  while  most  of  them  are  positively 


I30  HOW,  AND  WHEN    TO    TALK. 

pernicious,  and  demoralizing  in  their  tendencies.  The 
indiscriminate  novel  reader  is,  or  soon  will  be,  a  nerve- 
less, nonsensical  nuisance,  fit  neither  for  the  position  of 
wife  nor  mother. 

Women  should  learn  to  converse  well.  She,  who 
cultivates  her  conversational  powers,  will  be  a  leader  in 
society  circles.  For,  in  all  the  broad  realm  of  social 
culture,  there  is  nothing  that  will  yield  a  richer  reward, 
for  the  amount  of  capital  invested.  Cultured,  oral  dis- 
course is  freighted  with  the  most  exquisite  pleasure; 
and  its  entertainments  are  far  superior  to  any  enchant- 
ments, brought  about  through  the  devices  of  art.  The 
accomplished  conversationalist  bears  a  passport  to  the 
best  society,  wherever  she  chances  to  go.  But,  the 
oracles  of  the  lips  must  instruct,  as  well  as  amuse,  if 
they  prove  beneficial,  and  give  us  a  hold  upon  the  hearts 
of  our  hearers. 

The  gift  of  gab,  or  a  game  at  gossip,  is  not  cultured 
conversation.  Conversation,  properly  so  called,  is  a 
special  blessing,  to  those  women  who  cultivate  it ;  for 
it  is  theirs  to  teach  the  talkers  of  the  world  how  to 
talk ;  and  then,  they  enjoy  it  supremely  themselves  any 
way.  Improved  conversational  powers  widen  a  woman's 
field  of  influence,  and  lengthen  her  lease  on  life. 
Words  are  the  invented  vehicles  of  thought ;  and 
thought  is  .often  delicately  tinged,  in  its  shadings,  or 
beautifully  tinted,  in  its  colorings,  so  that  a  sound  judg- 
ment, and  a  clear  perception  are  absolutely  essential  to 
the  successful  selection  of  suitable  words  to  convey  fully, 
and  forcibly  certain  important  ideas.  Oral  utterance, 
destitute  of  clear  cut  ideas,  is  shorn  of  its  wonted 
strength  ;  and  rendered  comparatively  powerless,  though 


WOMAN  S  EDUCATION.  131 

it  be  brim  full  of  music,  and  sparkling  with  scintillations 
of  light.  Ladies,  be  earnest,  and  sincere  in  your  con- 
versations, and  you  will  be  effectual  talkers.  Express 
yourselves  with  ease  and  elegance  ;  and  you  will  be  lis- 
tened to  with  interest  and  admiration.  Avoid,  scrupu- 
lously, the  use  of  slang  words  and  phrases  ;  and  it  will 
give  an  air  of  refinement  to  your  conversations,  which 
will  elevate  you,  in  the  estimation  of  all  your  hearers. 
Do  not  confine  yourself,  too  much,  to  your  own  calling, 
or  occupation,  lest  it  should  become  monotonous  to 
your  auditors.  People  will  not  long  tolerate  a  monop- 
olist, in  the  social  circle ;  so,  be  sure  to  give  others  an 
opportunity  to  talk  a  little,  while  you  talk  much. 

Vanity,  egotism  or  selfishness  will  spoil  a  woman's 
conversation  more  than  a  want  of  talent,  or  deficiency 
of  utterance.  They  render  her  tedious  and  wearisome, 
even  to  her  best  friends,  and  unendurable  to  all  others ; 
and,  hence,  such  a  conversationalist  is  usually  left  alone, 
as  soon  as  courtesy  will  permit,  to  be  avoided  as  much 
as  possible  in  the   future. 

Every  woman  should  be  well  educated.  A  woman's 
education  is  the  polishing  of  a  rough  diamond ;  or  the 
purifying  of  fine  gold.  The  mind,  of  a  truly  educated 
female,  is  a  treasury  of  priceless  gems.  Her  heart  is  a 
flower-garden,  with  many  roses  of  love  in  full  bloom. 
And,  her  soul  is  a  richly  freighted  cargo  of  Christian 
graces.  Woman  only  wants  this  trio  of  powers,  prop- 
erly cultured,  and  she  is  an  angel  of  light,  love  and  life 
on  the  earth. 

There  is  a  broad  field  for  the  women  of  the  future, 
who  wish  to  enter  the  literary  world,  if  they  will  only 
prepare  themselves  for  their  work.     There  is  no  reason 


132  DIFFERENT    FACULTIES. 

why  they  might  not  take  the  lead,  ere  long,  in  letters 
For  woman's  intellect  is  strong  and  vigorous ;  her  per- 
ceptive powers  quick  and  penetrating,  and  her  genius 
lofty  and  daring.  There  is  a  wide  difference,  it  is  true, 
between  the  male,  and  female  minds ;  but,  this  difference 
is  found  in  the  nature,  texture  and  quality,  and  not  in 
the  faculties  themselves  ;  nor  yet,  in  their  several  rela- 
tions to  each  other. 

The  average  strength  of  every  mind  is  the  sum  total 
of  power  found  in  its  several  faculties.  The  intellect- 
ual faculty,  as  a  rule,  owing  to  a  more  extensive  culti- 
vation, is  much  stronger  in  man,  than  it  is  in  woman. 
But,  the  same  may  just  as  truthfully  be  affirmed,  of 
woman's  superiority  over  man,  when  reference  is  had 
to  the  moral  faculty.  In  fact,  we  also  find  woman  far 
in  advance  of  man,  if  we  refer  to  the  social,  and  relig- 
ious faculties  of  the  mind.  Then,  when  we  sum  up  the 
whole  matter,  we  find  woman's  mind,  as  a  rule,  stronger, 
and  much  more  reliable  than  man's.  Hence,  a  woman's 
judgment  is  not  only  more  intuitive,  but  also  more 
comprehensive  than  a  man's,  other  things  being  equal. 
She  summons,  to  her  assistance,  a  sanctified  conscience ; 
so  that,  when  facts  are  stated,  she  at  once  receives  her 
impressions,  of  right  and  wrong,  and  readily  reaches 
her  fair,  and  final  conclusions  ;  while  he,  too  often,  leaves 
conscience,  in  the  background,  and  relies,  solely,  upon 
a  long  course  of  logical  reasoning  for  his  uncertain  con- 
clusions, which  may,  or  may  not  be  the  legitimate  off- 
springs of  false  premises. 

A  sound  judgment,  a  symmetrical  character  and  a 
sanctified  life  are,  all,  dependent  upon  the  proper  culture 
of  each,  and  every  faculty  of  the  mind ;  so  that,  no  one 


MANY    MONUMENTS.  1 33 

ol  them  will  hold  a  balance  of  power.  In  this  respect, 
woman  is  man's  peer.  She  has  erected  many  monu- 
ments, to  her  genius  along  this  line,  which  will  stand 
the  test  of  ages.  Her  mind  has  mastered,  readily,  the 
most  abstruse  sciences,  led  to  victory  the  most  valiant 
armies  and  governed,  successfully,  the  mightiest  na- 
tions of  the  earth.  Woman  has,  also,  shown  a  clear- 
ness of  foresight,  a  quickness  of  perception  and  a 
solidity  of  judgment,  which  makes  her  opinion,  among 
business  men,  a  matter  of  gravest  importance.  A  wife's 
intuitive  acumen,  to  many  husbands,  is  the  utterances 
of  an  oracle.  They  will  never  disregard  the  advice  of 
their  wives,  when  great  interests  are  at  stake.  The 
fact  is  this,  a  woman's  plans  are  usually  practicable. 
The  first-class  woman  has  a  well  balanced  judgment,  a 
rich  store  of  common  sense,  an  ample  fund  of  ready 
tact  and  a  large  capacity  for  successful  management. 

Woman,  then,  is  not  a  worthless  being.  She  speaks, 
and  angels  lend  listening  ears  to  her  soft  accents,  of 
love  and  mercy.  She  wields  her  magic  pen,  and  the 
world  hangs  enraptured,  with  the  music  of  her  song. 
She  acts  the  part  of  a  loving  sister,  and  the  most  grate- 
ful benedictions  rise  from  the  couch,  of  the  sick,  and 
suffering  of  earth ;  and  heaven  comes  down,  to  crown 
her  the  honored  queen  of  charity's  lovely  empire. 

But,  above  all,  women  should  be  religious.  While 
you  are  making  preparations  for  time,  you  should  not 
neglect  the  more  important  preparations  for  eternity. 
While  you  lay  up,  so  much,  for  this  life,  be  sure  and 
treasure  up  something  for  the  life  to  come.  When  you 
start  for  heaven,  do  not  look  back,  with  a  longing 
heart ;  neither  linger,  nor  loiter  by  the  way.      Religion 


134  FEELING    AND    FAITH. 

is  not  merely  renunciation — it  is  much  more.  It  is 
not  simply  negative ;  but  also  positive  good.  The 
Gospel,  in  its  purity  and  power,  tenders  life  for  a  look, 
to  the  lost  of  earth.  And  faith's  first  view,  of  the  Son, 
saves  the  soul,  and  seals  it  God's  for  time  and  for  eter- 
nity. "  He  that  believeth  hath  eternal  life."  Ascend- 
ing faith  finds  its  counterpart,  in  descending  life, 

The  essential  thing,  in  the  religious  life,  is  to  be  sure 
and  safe.  We  can  not  be  too  certain  of  our  accept- 
ance with  God.  It  is  better  that  we  live  in  doubt,  when 
there  is  no  danger,  if  such  a  thing  be  possible;  than 
that,  we  die  in  despair,  self-condemned  and  self-doomed. 
An  experimental  knowledge  of  its  acceptance,  with 
Christ,  is  the  only  safe  landing  for  the  soul,  that  is,  at 
sea,  sailing  upon  the  troubled  waters  of  life.  We  want 
a  personal  acquaintance — an  experimental  knowledge 
of  Jesus,  "  whom  to  know  aright  is  life  eternal."  Reader, 
do  you  know  Christ,  personally,  in  the  pardon  of  your 
sins  ?  or,  are  your  hopes  of  heaven  all  to  prove  vision- 
ary, and  your  dreams  of  happiness  to  vanish  forever,  as 
the  mists  of  the  morning  ? 

Feeling,  as  well  as  faith,  is  an  important  factor  in  our 
religious  life.  It  is  well  that  we  should  be  both  hope- 
ful, and  happy  in  our  services  of  love.  For  otherwise, 
we  lay  on  our  own  hearts,  the  heaviest  burdens  of  life. 
We  weigh  ourselves  down,  and  wear  ourselves  out  wor- 
rying over  ills  we  can  not  cure,  or  evils  which  will  never 
overtake  us.  The  load  on  such  a  shoulder  is  light  in 
comparison  with  the  burden  on  the  heart.  The  mission 
of  the  Gospel  is,  not  so  much  to  lighten  the  loads  of 
life  for  the  mind  and  body,  as  to  lift  the  weights  of  sin, 
and   grief  from  our  aching  hearts  and  burdened  souls. 


WORRY  AND  WORK.  I35 

Religion  comes  with  rest  for  the  inner,  rather  than  for 
the  outer  man.  It  brings  peace  to  the  heart,  rather 
than  pastime  to  the  hand.  It  tenders  rest  from  worry, 
but  not  from  work.  It  bids  us  rest  in  God's  ways,  and 
work  out  his  will,  that  we  may  be  happy  here,  and  get 
home  to  heaven  hereafter. 


MANHOOD. 


Chapter  VI. 


The  manly  man,  of  moral  -worth, 

Stands  peerless  among  the  powers  of  earth. 


ANHOOD  is  life,  in  its  meridian 
glory.  It  is  life,  in  the  zenith  of 
its  power.  It  is  life,  crossing  the 
vernal  equinox  of  time.  Manhood 
is  life,  in  its  most  active,  and  en- 
ergetic works.  It  is  life,  fully 
launched  upon  its  mysterious  voy- 
age across  the  uncertain  sea  of 
time.  It  is  life,  with  sails  spread, 
pennants  hoisted  and  vessel  well  manned,  moving  out 
grandly  over  the  ocean  of  time,  toward  the  eternal 
shores. 

Human  life  is  a  stern  reality,  embodying  much  more 
of  fact  than  fiction.  It  is  not  merely  an  earthly  exist- 
ence. It  is  a  golden  thread,  running  through  the  warp 
of  time  and  eternity.  Life,  in  its  unregenerate  state,  is 
beset  by  dangers  on  every  hand.  Evil  haunts  its  path- 
way through  time ;    doubt   shrouds   its   swiftly   flowing 

days    in    darkness,    and    an    uncertain    destiny    stands 
(136) 


LIFE    IS    A    VOYAGE.  137 

sentinel,  at  the  end  of  its  race.  But,  the  Christian  life, 
like  a  book  of  fiction  over  which  we  laugh  and  cry,  re- 
joice and  remonstrate,  grows  more,  and  more  mysterious, 
as  it  nears  its  finis  ;  but  finally  winds  up,  just  as  we 
would  wish  it  to  close.  God's  ways  are  wonderful,  and 
his  works  past  finding  out.  He  measures  manhood  by 
its  merits ;  and  rewards  it  accordingly  :  so,  none  of  the 
real  gains  of  life  will  be  lost  in  death.  Life's  progress 
for  time  and  eternity,  then,  is  in  proportion  to  our  meek, 
and  manly  efforts  to  live  right,  while  in  the  flesh. 

Man's  earthly  life  is  a  dangerous  voyage.  The  sea 
he  navigates  is  strewn,  from  shore  to  shore,  with  ship- 
wrecked souls.  No  man  knows  just  what  the  future  has 
in  store  for  him.  Unexpected  dangers  may  lie  at  the 
very  door-way  of  the  next  dawning  day ;  while  antici- 
pated troubles  may  recede,  like  the  deceptive  mirage  of 
the  desert ;  so  that,  we  will  not  overtake  them,  through 
all  the  long  journey  of  life.  Time  bears  us  on,  like  a 
swiftly  flowing  stream,  toward  the  great  ocean  of  eter- 
nity 0  The  silver,  or  sombre  sea,  over  which  we  sail,  is 
both  deep  and  wide  ;  but  wisdom  will  win,  for  us,  a 
successful  voyage.  Only  launch  your  vessel,  wisely, 
with  Jesus  as  her  Pilot ;  then,  give  her  wings  to  the 
winds,  and  let  her  sail  in  triumph  for  the  heavenly 
harbor. 

Life  is  a  battle.  Foes  beset  us,  on  every  side.  We 
must  wage  a  continual  warfare,  against  the  powers  of 
evil  ;  if  we  would  win  life's  grandest  victory.  Evil 
passions  must  be  controlled.  Evil  habits  must  be  sub- 
dued. Evil  principles  must  be  overthrown  ;  and  life, 
itself,  consecrated  to  the  highest,  and  holiest  aims  and 
ends,  if  we  are  ever  crowned  immortal  victors,  and 
12 


I38  LOOKOUT    MOUNTAIN.      , 

welcomed,  conquerors  from  the  conflicts  of  earth,  to  the 
courts  of  heaven. 

We  stood,  one  day,  upon  the  brow  of  Lookout  Moun- 
tain. The  vision  was  magnificent,  beyond  description. 
The  queen  city,  of  the  South,  lay  in  fair  view  to  the 
North.  The  smoke  from  her  hundred  furnaces,  and 
factories  rose  in  graceful  wreaths  skyward.  The  lofty 
steeples,  of  her  many  magnificent  churches,  pointed 
their  glittering  spires  heavenward.  Her  golden  glories 
glittered,  in  the  bright  sunlight  of  a  lovely  day.  The 
Tennessee  River,  in  her  horse-shoe  bend,  rolled  grandly 
by,  on  her  swiftly  sweeping  journey  to  the  ocean  of 
waters. 

On  this  historic  mount,  one  day, 
The  boys,  in  blue,  met  the  boys,  in  gray, 
And  fought,  amid  vollies  long  and  loud, 
The  famous  "battle  above  the  clouds." 

This  is  a  fit  emblem  of  life's  best  fought  battles.  They 
are  fought  most  successfully  above  the  clouds  of  sin  ; 
and  beyond  the  shadows  of  doubt — far  up  the  spiritual 
mount,  whose  brow  is  ever  crowned  with  the  golden 
light  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  where  the  soldiers  of 
the  cross  can  look  out,  without  an  intervening  cloud, 
upon  the  fair  prospect  of  the  future,  and  read  their  titles 
clear  to  mansions  in  the  skies. 

The  true  Christian  man  has  the  heart*  of  a  moral 
hero.  This  is  the  fountain,  whence  flows  his  real  nobil- 
ity of  character,  and  worth  of  soul.  A  heroic  heart  is 
a  host,  in  fighting  life's  bloodless  battles.  There  is  no 
victory,  but  sure  and  sore  defeat,  for  the  moral  cowards 
of  earth.     Only  let  the  Christian  warrior  wield  the  word 


UNFINISHED    BATTLES.  1 39 

of  God,  as  the  weapon  of  his  warfare  through  life,  and 
heaven  shall  be  his  home,  when  he  passes  beyond  the 
chilly  river  of  death. 

The  earth  is  full  of  unfinished  battles.  Many  true 
principles  lie  prostrate  in  the  dust,  to-day,  which  will  as- 
sert their  power,  and  shine  with  their  wonted  glory 
to-morrow.  Life  is  a  ceaseless  warfare.  The  din  of 
carnal,  and  the  clash  of  spiritual  arms  are  to  be  heard, 
in  every  soul  struggling  for  victory  over  self  and  sin. 
Terrible  conflicts  are  being  waged,  within  and  without. 
Armies  of  virtues  are  being  swept  from  the  stage  of 
action,  by  the  death-dealing  siroccos  of  vice.  And,  in 
their  turn,  the  minions  of  vice  are  falling,  before  the 
victorious  armies  of  virtue  and  truth.  The  battle  of 
ballots  is,  often,  more  important,  than  the  battle  of 
bullets.  It  takes  moral  heroes  to  gain  a  glorious  victory, 
over  the  concentrated  powers  of  evil,  at  the  polls. 

This  wicked  world  is  a  great  battle-field,  of  warring 
interests.  Hopeless  defeats,  and  triumphant  victories 
are  the  events  of  the  ages.  Every  inch,  of  vantage 
ground,  is  hotly  contested.  But,  still  the  world  is,  con- 
stantly, growing  better.  It  is  making  some  long,  and 
many  rapid  strides  toward  the  dawn  of  its  brightest  day. 
In  this  age  of  periodicals,  the  wickedness  of  the  world 
is  laid  bare  to  our  inspection  :  it  is  even  paraded  before 
our  eyes.  And,  this  is  doubtless  the  reason  some  people 
conclude,  that  it  is  growing  worse,  all  the  time  ;  and 
lose  sight  of  the  good  things  of  the  present,  in  looking 
to  the  receding  past,  for  its  golden  age.  Such  persons 
are  blind  to  the  fact,  that  this  happy  period  lies,  some- 
where, in  the  heaving  bosom  of  the  hopeful  future. 

Young  man,  to-day  finds  you  just  entering  upon  the 


140  THE    FAIR    FUTURE. 

threshold  of  active  life.  Real  life,  or  life  in  earnest,  lies 
just  before  you.  But,  the  volume  of  the  future  is  sealed 
to  your  eyes.  On  its  massive  lids,  you  may  imagine 
you  see  the  pretty  pictures  of  fancy,  fame  or  fortune. 
From  its  gilt  edges  may  gleam  the  golden  dreams  of 
your  fondest  hopes.  But,  all  in  vain  you  will  strive  to 
loosen  its  silver  clasp,  and  read  its  unknown  contents. 
Time,  alone,  can  reveal  its  many  mysteries,  and  interpret, 
or  translate  its  prolific  pages.  And,  none  but  God  can 
reverse  its  sentences  of  life  and  death. 

The  vivid  imagination,  of  young  manhood,  naturally 
paints  the  most  charming  pictures,  upon  the  lovely  can- 
vas of  the  fair  future.  Life,  to  all  such  sons  of  pleasure, 
is  too  apt  to  seem  but  a  pleasant  pathway,  under  sunny 
skies,  amid  silvan  shades  and  through  the  most  enchant- 
ing scenery.  But,  in  order  to  a  promising  future,  young 
men  must  manifest  certain  essential  elements  of  char- 
acter. They  must  be  intelligent,  to  command  esteem. 
They  must  possess  integrity,  to  win  public  confidence. 
They  must  be  industrious,  to  accumulate  wealth.  They 
must  practice  economy,  to  save  their  income.  They 
must  display  energy,  to  surmount  obstacles.  They  must 
give  evidence  of  efficiency,  to  prove  themselves  equal 
to  their  opportunities.  With  these  characteristics,  they 
can  not  be  inferior  men :  neither  can  their  lives  be 
failures.  As  sure  as  effect  follows  its  legitimate  cause, 
so  sure  will  such  a  character  bring,  to  its  bearer,  a  bright, 
and  glorious  future.  Such  men  must  win  a  commanding 
influence  ;  and  rise  to  social  superiority,  among  their 
fellows.  A  man  must  be  rated  by  his  relative  character  ; 
for  without  character,  his  manship  is  gone.  He  is  a 
savage,  without  sympathy — a  man,  without  moral  man- 


GOLDEN   OPPORTUNITIES.  141 

hood  enough  to  raise  him  above  the  low  level  of  the 
animal  creation.  With  such  a  person,  policy  is  more 
potent  than  principle.  Young  men,  do  right,  though  it 
subjects  you  to  social  ostracism,  and  exposes  you  to  the 
anathemas  of  your  former  comrades.  A  good  character 
is  a  thing  of  special  promise.  It  is  a  tree  covered  with 
the  fairest  foliage,  and  freighted  with  the  richest  fruitage. 

Life's  moments  are  fleeting.  They  come,  and  go  like 
the  fast  falling  snow-flakes,  which  melt  ere  they  light 
upon  the  earth.  Young  men,  these  golden  opportuni- 
ties ought  to  be  well  improved,  as  they  pass.  There  is 
entirely  too  much  drift-wood,  on  the  ever  rushing  tide  of 
time.  Much  refuse,  and  waste  material  is  borne  down, 
by  the  ever  surging  stream  of  time,  from  regions  remote 
to  realms  unknown.  Every  man's  life  consists  of  two 
parts— the  past,  a  dream — the  future,  a  hope.  And 
every  life  has  its  mile-stones,  which  mark  into  epochs  of 
special  interest,  to  the  individual,  the  pilgrimage  from 
the  cradle  to  the  grave.  Manhood's  years  roll,  rapidly, 
on  toward  the  bourn,  from  whence  no  traveler  ever  re- 
turns. This  is  the  most  fleeting  period  of  our  earthly 
existence.  Then,  do  not  live,  as  though  you  had  a  long 
lease  on  life;  but,  as  if  every  day  might  be  your  last 
on  earth. 

Life,  like  the  leaves  of  the  forest,  has  its  time  for  fad- 
ing. But,  only  let  it  wear  the  glory  of  autumnal  grace, 
in  its  waning  hours,  and  there  will  be  no  occasion  for 
regrets.  We  should  rather  rejoice,  when  the  setting  sun 
throws  back  his  beams  of  beauty  on  a  life  crowned  with 
glory  and  honor,  at  its  close.  The  hopes  of  a  harvest 
have  been  realized ;  and  there  should  not  be  a  murmur. 
A  home  in  heaven  has  been  gained  ;  and  there  should 


142  FAILURES    BRING    FORTUNES. 

be  no  lamentations.  There  are  just  three  wicks  in  the 
lamp  of  life — breath,  blood  and  brain.  Mash  the  head, 
stop  the  heart  or  close  the  lungs,  and  every  wick  is 
darkened;  and  the  lamp  of  life  has  lost  its  last  ray  of 
light,  But,  it  is  the  province  of  grace,  if  we  will  but 
use  it,  to  whiten  us  for  the  harvest,  ere  Providence 
thrusts  in  the  sickle,  to  reap  us  down  in  death. 

Life  is  a  volume  full  of  lessons,  well  worth  our  pe- 
rusal. But,  it  requires  much  time,  and  more  talent  to 
solve,  successfully,  some  of  its  most  difficult  problems. 
This  book  records  many  failures,  which  might  bring  for- 
tunes, but  for  the  forgotten  fact,  that  some  other  vessel 
was  wrecked  upon  the  same  treacherous  strand.  Ex- 
perience is  a  most  excellent  instructor.  The  garnered 
experience,  of  ages,  constitutes  the  sum  of  human  wis- 
dom. But,  the  fool  fails  to  learn  even  in  this  school. 
The  wise  man  profits  by  the  failures  of  his  fellows ;  and 
avoids  the  repetition  of  his  own  follies.  The  book  of 
eternity  will  doubtless  reveal  the  fact,  that  myriads  of 
souls  have  been  lost,  because  they  closed  their  eyes  to 
the  light  of  life,  held  up  to  them  in  the  experience  of 
others,  who  went  down  to  death,  along  the  same  line 
over  which  they  traveled. 

Life  is  freighted  with  lessons  of  love.  We  need  only 
look,  listen  and  learn.  Every  thought  leaves  its  im- 
print, on  the  mind.  Every  emotion  modifies  the  spirit. 
Every  evil  passion  paralyzes  the  soul.  The  world  beats 
its  grand,  onward  and  upward  march  all  around  us ;  and 
we  should  seek  to  learn  every  lesson  it  leaves  on  record, 
for  fallen  humanity.  They  will  teach  us  to  make  the 
best  possible  use  of  our  leisure  moments,  which  are  gems 
of  gold,  when  properly  garnered.     They  will  stock  our 


SACRED    OBLIGATIONS.  I43 

storehouse  of  knowledge,  with  articles  of  inestimable 
value.  They  will  teach  us  to  think  for  ourselves. 
Thought  is  necessary,  to  the  successful  solution  of  the 
profound  problems  of  life,  in  every  age  of  the  world's 
history.  Thinkers  are  always  in  demand.  Thought  is 
the  power  behind  the  throne. 

Life  carries,  with  it,  the  most  sacred  obligations.  All 
men  are  duty  bound,  to  think  certain  thoughts,  to  speak 
certain  words  and  to  perform  certain  acts,  during  life. 
No  man  is  exempt  from  filling  a  useful,  and  honored 
mission  in  this  world.  We  can  neither  face,  nor  fly 
from  a  consciousness  of  obligations  disregarded.  Like 
the  Omnipresent  Spirit,  a  sense  of  duty  is  always  present 
with  us.  No  matter  where  we  go,  or  what  our  environ- 
ments may  be,  still,  it  pursues  us  to  the  end  of  life. 
Though  the  wings  of  the  winds  were  given  us,  that  we 
might  speed  us  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth, 
even  there  would  a  sense  of  duty  discharged,  or  of  ob- 
ligations disregarded  minister  to  our  pleasures,  or  mock 
at  our  misfortunes.  Should  we  flatter  ourselves,  that 
the  darkness  of  death  will  cover  up  these  neglected  ob- 
ligations, it  will  be  but  to  find  the  blackness  of  night,  as 
the  light  of  day,  to  quicken  our  consciences  to  a  live- 
lier sense  of  duty  performed  or  neglected,  which  com- 
fort or  condemn  us,  in  time  and  through  eternity. 

Nothing  adds  more  to  the  beauty,  and  grandeur  of 
a  human  life,  than  the  conscientious  performance  of  all 
its  sacred  obligations.  The  lofty  flights  of  genius 
may  be  more  rapid  and  romantic  ;  the  forerunners  of 
fortunes  may  be  more  facetious  and  fascinating;  but 
they  are  both  incomparable  to  the  worthy  achievements 
of  a  fervent,  and  faithful  devotee,  at  the  shrine  of  his 


144  PURITY  OF    LIFE. 

conscientious  convictions  of  duty.  The  hastily  gathered 
garlands  of  genius  will  soon  wither  away.  The  fame 
of  fortunes,  found  in  a  fortnight,  will  as  speedily  turn 
into  vanity.  But,  the  ever  ripening  fruits  of  the  consci- 
entious character-builder,  and  duty-performer  will  never 
perish.  They  will  be  a  source  of  constant  enjoyment 
in  this  life,  and  bring  a  rich  reward  in  the  life  to  come. 

Infinite  is  the  sphere  of  life's  arduous  duties.  Every 
honored  station,  and  honorable  calling  is  full  of  them. 
And  the  manliest  thing,  a  man  can  do,  is  to  faithfully 
discharge  all  the  obligations  which  rest  upon  him.  And, 
he  who  deviates  from  the  path  of  duty,  to  hang  his 
hopes  upon  the  smiles,  and  flatteries  of  the  rich  and 
aristocratic,  or  the  fickle  favors  of  the  masses,  richly  de- 
serves the  doom  of  the  dishonored,  and  despised  of 
earth.  The  sweet  associations  around  us,  the  providen- 
tial environments  of  the  age,  in  which  we  live,  and  the 
over-arching  heavens  above,  all,  invite  us,  through  the 
discharge  of  Christian  duty,  to  higher  and  holier  lives. 

Purity  of  life  is  absolutely  essential,  to  the  higher 
order  of  manhood.  The  wheels,  within  the  clock,  must 
be  in  good  order  before  the  hands,  on  the  dial  plate,  can 
point  out  the  exact  hour  of  the  day.  So,  the  heart, 
within  a  man,  must  be  pure  and  holy,  before  the  actions, 
without,  can  move,  as  proper  index  fingers,  around  the 
great  dial  of  time.  He  is  happiest,  whose  heart  is 
holiest,  and  whose  hand  is  most  charitable.  He  is 
wisest,  who  treasures  up  holy  truths,  and  lays  up 
heavenly  treasures. 

Every  young  man  should  have  a  definite  purpose, 
and  a  well  matured  plan  for  action,  in  life,  before  he  is 
twenty-one.    Then,  each  day  something  should  he  done, 


PROPER    PREPARATION.  1 45 

in  the  execution  of  his  well-laid  plans,  and  the  promo- 
tion of  his  long-cherished  purposes.  And,  all  his 
energies  must  be  utilized,  with  accuracy,  if  he  would  not 
defeat  the  efforts  of  his  own  life.  He  must  recognize 
the  facts,  that  experience,  and  perseverance  are  the 
prime  secrets  to  success  ;  that  prosperity  is  the  offspring 
of  industry  and  frugality ;  while  caution  is  man's  ablest 
counselor,  and  hope  his  guardian  genius ;  conscience  his 
most  faithful  monitor,  and  a  noble  purpose  his  conquer- 
ing power. 

Young  men, -be  progressive,  in  your  ideas  and  efforts. 
But,  remember,  that  progress  must  contend  against 
prejudice  ;  that  passion  lies  across  every  upward  path, 
and  that  ignorance  stands,  in  battle  array,  at  every  en- 
trance to  the  temple  of  truth.  Reformation  tends  to 
righteousness  ;  but  the  road,  leading  to  peace,  is  red 
with  the  blood  of  contending  foes.  There  will  be  con- 
flict, until  we  reach  the  realms  of  glory,  and  rest 
together,  on  the  banks  of  eternal  deliverance. 

Young  man,  seek,  early,  to  know  your  calling  for  life. 
Then,  devote  yourself  to  a  thorough  preparation  for  its 
arduous  duties.  If  you  decide  to  be  a  farmer ;  resolve 
to  be  a  first-class  tiller  of  the  soil.  If  you  choose  the 
mercantile  business,  be  a  merchant  of  the  first  waters. 
If  you  practice  medicine,  be  eminently  proficient,  in 
your  profession.  If  you  enter  the  law,  be  a  legal  light, 
in  your  practice  at  the  bar.  Or,  if  you  are  called  to  the 
Gospel  ministry,  prove  yourself  a  worthy  workman, 
properly  presenting  the  sacred  truths  to  saint  and  sinner, 
in  season,  and  success  will  crown  your  efforts  through  life. 

Manhood  is  the  embodiment  of  many  of  the  nobler 
attributes  of  humanity,  well  developed.      Character  is 


I46  A    TRINITY    IN    UNITY. 

the  object  of  all  true  discipline.  Hence,  that  occupa- 
tion, or  calling  is  best  for  a  man,  which  strengthens  most 
all  the  weak  points  of  his  character.  Any  honorable 
profession,  or  laudable  vocation,  if  properly  filled,  will 
give  strength,  and  grace  to  all  the  essentials  of  true, 
and  tried  manhood.  The  elements  of  a  desirable  char- 
acter, then,  should  be  cultivated,  early  and  earnestly,  by 
all  men,  no  matter  what  their  environments  may  chance 
to  be.  Manhood  must  have  a  firm  foundation  upon 
which  to  erect  a  grand  symmetrical  character.  For, 
character  has  reference  to  a  man's  heart-life.  Only  let 
the  young  man  stand  forth,  in  the  beauty  and  strength 
of  his  Christian  manhood,  and  he  will  soon  be  crowned 
a  moral  hero,  and  his  character  will  be  unimpeachable. 

Our  ideal  manhood  is  a  trinity  in  unity.  It  is  three 
in  one — a  perfect  body,  a  well-stored  mind  and  a  sincere 
soul,  all,  consecrated  to  Christ  and  his  service.  He 
who  represents  this  model  manhood  must,  himself,  be  a 
man  among  men.  He  must  possess  that  pageantry  and 
power,  which  alone  are  subservient  to  the  more  manly, 
and  generous  deeds,  and  developments  of  life.  Many 
a  man  is  ranked  as  a  noble  man,  who  cares  far  more  for 
his  own  comfort,  than  he  does  for  the  discomfort  of 
others.  But,  our  ideal  manhood  regards  the  rights  of 
others,  even,  in  the  most  trivial  matters.  All  well-bred 
persons  think  of  others  occasionally,  rather  than  of  them- 
selves exclusively.  And,  while  servility  may  be  the 
shame,  genuine  politeness,  and  manly  courtesies  are  the 
glory  of  young  manhood.  Such  gentility  has  patience, 
discretion,  judgment,  and  moral  principle  to  stamp  it 
with  lasting  stability,  ancf  over-arch  it  with  gems  of 
staunch  and  sterling  value. 


MANLINESS.  147 

Young  man,  be  manly.  Do  not  go  whining,  and 
whimpering  through  life,  like  a  spoiled  lad.  The  world 
laughs  at  such  men.  Do  not  be  disappointed,  if  you 
are  occasionally  defeated,  in  the  battles  of  life.  Be, 
only,  the  more  independent  and  self-reliant.  In  this 
busy,  bustling  world,  learn  to  lean,  largely,  upon  your 
own  strong  arm,  for  success  in  life.  Be  willing  to  work 
wherever  the  Lord  of  labor  bids  you  toil ;  and,  ere  long, 
fortune  will  favor  your  efforts.  But,  the  fate  of  the  fault- 
finding coward  is  already  fixed.  Fortune  will  never 
smile  upon  his  ugly  sneers  and  snarls. 

No  man  should  murmur  at  his  lot  in  life.  Murmur- 
ing 'makes  sweetness  bitter,  and  intensifies  bitterness. 
The  murmurer  mixes  Marah  with  all  God's  mercies. 
A  man  had  much  better  be  cheerful :  for  cheerfulness 
has  a  charm,  which  is,  to  character,  what  motionless 
moonbeams  are  to  the  peaceful  waters,  of  the  placid 
sea.  But,  circumstances  have  more,  than  principle,  to 
do  in  shaping  the  character  of  many  men.  Some,  how- 
ever, rise  above  their  surroundings ;  while  most  men 
succumb  to  their  environments. 

Manliness  means  more  than  mere  manners.  It  has 
to  do  with  motives,  morals  and  manhood.  We  like  a 
manly  man — a  moral  hero — one  who  can  look  upon  the 
banner  of  the  advancing  foe,  listen  to  their  martial 
music,  and  then  meet  the  war-like  hosts,  in  deadly  con- 
flict, with  the  firmness  and  fortitude  of  a  moral  mon- 
arch, among  men.  Such  a  man  will  seek  to  satisfy  the 
demands  of  his  own  cultured  conscience,  rather  than  to 
please  a  precarious  world. 

The  manly  man  will  manifest  a  manly  bearing,  to- 
ward all  men.     He  makes  the  best  of  every  thing,  as  it 


I48  THE    HIGHEST  AND   HOLIEST   TYPE. 

comes.  He  meets  the  morning,  as  a  wakeful  friend;  and 
greets  the  evening,  as  a  warning  watchman.  He  wel- 
comes the  night,  as  a  refreshing  angel,  and  hails  the 
day,  as  another  opportunity  for  grand  achievements.  He 
salutes  the  sunshine,  as  the  harbinger  of  wealth ;  and 
faces  the  darkest  cloud,  with  a  cheerful  smile,  as  he 
views  its  silver  lining. 

Young  men,  you  may  expect  to  be  judged,  more  fre- 
quently, irom  your  outward  bearing,  than  from  your  in- 
ner life.  Your  manners  will  mark  the  estimation,  in 
which  you  are  held,  by  the  world.  The  world  is  prone 
to  take  a  man,  for  what  he  feigns  to  be,  rather  than  for 
what  he  really  is,  any  way.  It  too  often  views,  simply, 
the  superficial,  rather  than  the  solid  contents  of  men. 
And,  from  this  imperfect  view,  it  forms  its  estimate  of 
them.  So,  you  see,  young  man,  that  your  chances  for 
success,  in  either  case,  will,  of  necessity,  depend,  largely, 
upon  your  manly  bearing  toward  others. 

But,  the  manly  man,  the  earnest,  generous,  noble  man, 
always,  draws  on  our  admiration,  and  merits  our  warm- 
est congratulations.  His  manliness  of  spirit,  nobility  of 
bearing  and  gentility  of  manners,  place  him  before  us, 
as  the  highest,  and  holiest  type  of  Christian  manhood. 
For  he  is  the  manliest  man,  of  all,  whose  mental,  and 
moral  worth  is  supplemented,  with  supreme  love  to  God, 
and  a  world-wide  charity  for  his  fellow-men.  Nature 
links  her  lines  of  grandeur,  to  those  of  grace,  in  crown- 
ing such  a  character,  with  innate  manhood,  wonderfully 
developed.  The  noble  traits,  of  this  model  character, 
like  loadstone,  never  lose  their  attractive  force.  And, 
like  the  beauties  of  nature,  should  always  prove  a  means 
of  grace. 


MORAL    MANHOOD.  1 49 

Young  men  should  cultivate  the  loftiest  sentiments, 
and  harbor  the  purest  thoughts.  Such,  only,  will  con- 
tribute to  their  social  standing  and  moral  manhood. 
They  must  be  the  champions  of  virtue  and  truth ;  if 
they  would  stand,  the  confessed  benefactors  of  their  fel- 
lows. The  Waterloos  and  Thermopylaes  of  earth  are 
fought,  largely,  by  the  souls  of  men,  in  their  struggles, 
for  victory,  over  sin,  the  most  deadly  of  all  foes. 
Moral  manhood  demands  the  highest,  and  purest  type 
of  moral  heroism.  The  bravest  soldier,  on  the  field  of 
carnage,  may  prove  to  be  the  most  dastardly  coward, 
found  upon  the  great  moral  battle-field  of  life.  The 
grandest  heroes  of  earth,  are  those  who  contend  most 
nobly,  and  fight  most  bravely  upon  life's  great  moral 
battle-fields. 

A  man,  wholly  destitute  of  morality,  is  worse  than  a 
savage,  without  sympathy.  A  dark  cloud  of  sin  hangs, 
as  a  deepening,  dismal  shadow,  upon  his  dejected  brow. 
His  manhood  is  all  gone.  He  lives,  no  longer,  under 
the  sacred  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  This  merciful 
messenger  strives  with  him  no  more.  The  glow  of  hope 
will  never  return,  to  grace  his  cheeks.  The  beam  of 
faith  will  never,  again,  brighten  his  eyes.  The  smile,  of 
love,  will  never  more  gladden  his  lips. 

A  man's  associates  bespeak  his  moral  status.  Char- 
acter, like  water,  seeks  its  own  level.  If  your  morals 
are  not  what  they  ought  to  be,  it  is  your  privilege  to 
reform.  Such  a  reformation  will  meet  its,  strongest, 
opposition,  in  your  own  appetites  and  passions.  It  will 
require,  some,  moral  heroism,  to  accomplish  this  work. 
But,  it  can,  and  must  be  done ;  or,  soon  your  passions, 
and  pleasures,  will  overpower  your  purposes  and  control 


I50  MORAL    HEROISM. 

your  lives.  The  sooner  this  work,  of  reformation,  is  ac- 
complished, the  easier  the  task,  and  the  more  satisfac- 
tory the  results.  But,  all  reformations,  which  stop  short 
of  a  religious  life,  fall  far  below  that  ideal  picture,  which 
heaven  presents,  as  a  model  after  which  all  men  should 
copy.  Life,  to  the  mere  moralist,  must  be  a  constant 
struggle,  between  the  powers  of  good  and  evil.  The  bat- 
tle is  always  raging,  and  the  result  is  ever  uncertain.  To- 
day he  may  conquer ;  but,  to-morrow  he  suffers  defeat. 
To-day  he  is  the  victor  ;  to-morrow  he  is  the  vanquished. 
To-night  he  sings  the  victor's  song ;  but.  to-morrow 
night  he  beats  a  coward's,  shameful,  retreat.  He,  only, 
is  morally  safe,  who  is  religiously  strong.  But,  do  not 
become  discouraged,  if  you  do  occasionally  fail  :  only, 
try  the  harder,  to  succeed  the  next  time.  Temporary 
defeat,  often,  paves  the  way  to  permanent  victory. 

Be  a  man  of  positive  convictions.  Do  not  be  con- 
trolled by  human  passions  and  impulses.  Noble,  native 
manhood,  once  bent  upon  good  deeds,  holds  to  its  gen- 
erous purposes,  placing  a  meager  estimate  upon  the 
offers,  and  eulogies  of  the  world.  Always  have  the 
moral  manhood  to  shun  the  social  customs,  which  have 
dragged  so  many  young  men  down  to  darkness  and  to 
death.  Integrity  is  one  of  the  central  pillars,  in  the 
stalwart  character  of  upright,  moral  manhood.  Be  a 
man,  at  all  times,  under  all  circumstances,  and  in  all 
places.  Always  be  a  man.  Mix,  and  mingle  with  men, 
only,  to  make  them  wiser  and  better. 

We  love  to  see  a  young  man,  in  the  freshness  of 
youth,  with  sparkling  eye,  and  elastic  step,  making  his 
way  to  an  honorable  position  in  the  world.  We  rejoice 
to  see  young  men  standing  up  in  defense  of  the  right ; 


SIN,    SELF    AND    SATAN.  151 

and,  if  possible,  defeating  the  wrong.  True  manhood 
demands  much  moral  courage.  The  moral  man  is  a 
hero,  with  magnetic  power.  He  carries,  with  him,  a  co- 
herent, and  commanding  influence,  that  is  contagious 
among  men.  His  fortitude  inspires  the  weak,  and 
wavering  ones  to  deeds  of  noblest  daring.  And,  hence, 
he  soon  marshals  an  army  of  heroes  for  the  right ;  who, 
under  the  banner  of  truth,  march  boldly  to  the  front,' 
and  lend  helping  hands  in  lifting  higher,  and  still  higher, 
the  moral  standard  of  the  world.  A  leader,  like  this, 
pours  the  light,  of  his  life,  upon  other  hearts,  that  they 
may  look  to  the  right ;  and  gather  comfort,  and  courage, 
in  their  struggles,  for  the  mastery  over  sin,  self  and 
satan.  The  truly  moral  man,  in  his  panoply  of  truth,  is 
armed  for  the  conflict.  His  faith  is  in  fair  dealing,  with 
men,  and  firm  devotion  to  God. 

Manual  labor  has  developed  some,  of  the  finest, 
specimens  of  manhood,  the  world  has  ever  known.  In 
fact,  manhood's  cardinal  virtues  are  but  the  outgrowth 
of  legitimate,  and  long  continued  burden-bearing.  Many 
of  the  noblest  traits  of  human  character  can,  only,  be 
acquired,  and  properly  developed,  in  the  actual  expe- 
rience of  the  work-shop,  or  its  equivalent.  Men,  who 
have  never  bowed  the  back,  under  the  actual  burdens  of 
life,  know  nothing  of  the  purpose,  patience,  promptness 
and  perseverance  which  ought  to  characterize  all  men,  in 
their  struggles  for  victory,  in  the  battles  of  life.  Nor, 
have  they  ever  learned  the  all-important  lessons  of  self- 
control,  self-denial,  self-encouragement  and  self-preser- 
vation, with  a  score  of  other  lessons  no  less  valuable, 
which  can,  only,  be  learned,  in  the  self-taught  school  of 
experience.     The   school    may   make   the    scholar ;  but, 


152  MAN    A    MENTAL    BEING. 

work  makes  the  man,  whose  purpose  is  never  puerile, 
and  whose  heart  never  loses  hope. 

There  is  a  world  of  work  for  some  one  to  do.  Young 
men,  will  you  husband  your  energies,  and  lend  a  helping 
hand  ;  or,  will  you  stand  idly  by,  with  folded  arms,  and 
look  on  while  the  industrious  millions  of  earth  move  the 
mighty  machinery,  which  draws  the  world  on,  toward  the 
golden  dawn  of  a  brighter,  and  better  day  ?  Young 
men,  it  would  be  wise,  in  you,  to  utilize  the  powers  you 
possess  ;  and  use  them  only  when,  and  where  they  will 
prove  a  blessing  to  mankind,  and  an  honor  to  God. 

Man  is  a  mental  being.  He  may  well  magnify  the 
might  of  his  mind  :  but,  he  should  not  forget  the  author 
of  his  existence.  Mind  is  the  mightiest  power  known 
to  man — possibly  the  only  power  in  existence.  We 
mean,  by  this  statement,  that  all  powers  are  possibly 
traceable  directly  to  the  uncreated  mind,  of  him,  who 
created,  and  controls  all  matter,  as  well  as  all  other 
minds ;  and  hence  is  the  true  source  of  all  power.  The 
material  organs  of  the  body,  employed  by  the  mind,  are 
mere  mediums  of  communication,  by  which  its  mani- 
festations are  made  susceptible  to  the  material  world. 
The  human  body  is  influenced  by  four  kinds  of  forces — 
chemical,  mechanical,  vital  and  mental.  The  chemical 
and  mechanical  forces  are  essential,  and  powerful  in  their 
ministrations,  to  the  efficiency  of  the  other  powers  of 
our  being.  But,  the  vital,  or  life  force  is  a  distinct 
power,  in  the  body  ;  and  the  true  source  of  its  preserva- 
tion, growth,  and  reproduction.  While,  the  mental 
force  determines  the  intellectual,  moral  and  spiritual 
status  of  the  man.  Our  thoughts  govern  our  actions ; 
and  our  actions  fix  our  destinies. 


RECEPTIVE  AND  RETENTIVE.  1 53 

Thought  and  action  are  the  massive  pillars,  upon 
which  our  characters,  and  lives  are  resting.  They  are 
the  sure,  or  sandy  foundations,  upon  which  our  hopes  of 
success,  in  life,  are  built.  They  are  the  inevitable  fore- 
runners of  fortune,  or  failure ;  of  victory,  or  defeat  in 
this  world.  The  mind,  then,  should  always  be  master  to 
the  man.  Then,  he  may  hope  to  obey  the  laws  of  his 
being.  For,  he,  who  scrupulously  follows  the  dictates  of 
his  own  conscience,  is  ever  advancing  toward  his  own 
ideal  of  righteousness.  Such  a  man  will  prove  loyal  to 
his  convictions  of  duty ;  fulfill  faithfully  his  contracts, 
and  meet  cheerfully  all  his  obligations.  He  thinks,  and 
he  thinks  with  precision.  Then  he  acts,  and  acts  from 
conviction.  And,  he  who  thinks  wisely,  and  acts  well 
his  part  in  life,  is  moving,  with  the  mighty  currents  of 
faith  and  hope,  toward  the  lovely  land  of  Beulah. 

The  mind  wants  to  be  receptive,  and  retentive,  in 
order  to  prove  available  and  valuable  to  its  possessor. 
Brain-force  requires  a  reserve  of  power,  to  give  buoy- 
ancy to  its  exercises,  and  rhythm  to  its  richest,  and 
rarest  productions.  Mental  functions  require  nerve- 
tension.  Agreeable  employment  stimulates  the  nerve 
forces,  while  it  taxes  the  physical,  or  mental  powers. 
Hence,  the  power  of  endurance  is,  so  much,  greater, 
when  the  task  is  a  pleasant  one.  The  head  may  be 
trained,  and  treasured  with  good  things,  just  as  readily, 
and  successfully,  as  either  the  hand  or  the  heart.  A 
man's  actions  may  be  worse,  but  his  life  is  never  better, 
than  his  thoughts.  The  mind  is  the  man,  in  miniature. 
The  one  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  other.  The  mind  is, 
also,  man's  beast  of  burden  ;  and  his  success,  on  earth, 

depends  largely  upon  the  manner,  in  which  it  is  driven 

13 


154  LEADERS    OF    THOUGHT. 

along  the  highway  of  life.  But,  the  wise  man  need  not 
be  arrogant.  He  should  not  regard  himself,  as  the  de- 
pository of  knowledge.  Let  him  recognize  the  rights 
of  all  men  ;  and  do  homage  to  the  judgment  of  his  su- 
periors. Yet,  we  should  all  think  for  ourselves.  We 
should  be  the  custodians,  of  our  own  capital  stock. 
We  should  have  thoughts  of  our  own,  and  dare  to 
utilize  them.  A  man's  thoughts  are  his  agents.  And 
his  words  are  vehicles  upon  which  he  conveys  them 
to  others. 

Man  should  be  a  close  student.  He  should  learn  the 
practical  lessons  of  life,  from  every  passing  event.  He 
should  study  nature,  in  the  dewy  eve  ;  under  the  light 
of  the  silver  moon,  and  beautiful  stars,  as  well  as  in  the 
broad  sunlight  of  the  day.  The  leaders  of  thought,  on 
almost  every  line  of  investigation,  have  unlocked,  with 
their  silver  keys,  the  golden  gates  of  knowledge  :  and 
they  bid  us  follow  them,  through  the  labyrinths  of  an- 
cient, and  modern  lore,  until  we  are  numbered  among 
the  learned  of  earth.  The  man,  of  thought  and  research, 
soon  stamps  indelibly,  upon  his  own  features,  the  evi- 
dence of  intellectual  greatness. 

Young  men,  seek  wisdom,  as  you  would  search  for 
fine  gold.  Be  wise,  and  you  will  be  great  and  good. 
It  is  true,  the  heart,  rather  than  the  head,  is  the  seat  of 
true  wisdom.  Yet,  there  must  be  a  union  of  head,  and 
heart-power  to  give  vigor,  and  vitality  to  human  char- 
acter. The  mind  must  act,  in  harmony  with  the  heart, 
before  the  full  force  of  the  soul  can  be  manifested. 
Those  who  have  large  heads,  usually,  have  loving 
hearts.  Men,  who  are  truly  great,  are  most  liberal  in 
their  views,  and  charitable  in  their  feelings.     They  are 


SEEK    WISDOM.  1 55 

entirely  free  from  that  narrow-minded  bigotry,  and  ec- 
centric egotism,  which  always  brands  the  brainless  man. 
The  wise  man  recognizes  the  fact,  that  wise  men,  often, 
differ  in  opinion.  He  knows,  that  opinion  is  the  offspring 
of  thought ;  and,  like  its  progenitor,  must  forever  roam, 
in  the  realms  of  the  free,  to  be  fruitful  of  good.  Opin- 
ion can  never  be  chained.  It  is  a  child  of  freedom. 
Expect  others  to  cross  your  opinion ;  for  they  will  be 
sure  to  do  so,  any  way.  Honor  them  for  the  manhood 
of  free  thought,  and  the  fearless  expression  of  their  own 
views.  This  great  diversity  of  opinion  demands  uni- 
versal charity,  in  all  our  dealings,  with  our  fellow  men. 
Let  the  heart,  that  is  hasty  to  condemn  others,  halt,  and 
hear  the  sentences  passed  upon  its  own  conduct  and 
conclusions.  Then  it  will  be  better  prepared,  to  throw 
the  broad  mantle  of  charity  over  the  frailties,  and  frivol- 
ities of  mankind. 

The  wise  man  will  take  in  the  meaning  of  the  vast 
movements  of  his  day,  and  keep  well  abreast  with  the 
times  in  which  he  lives.  He  will  grasp,  with  a  master's 
hand,  the  real  import  of  passing  events  ;  look  into  polit- 
ical platforms,  and  study  well  the  religious  creeds  of  the 
world,  and  thus  become  a  leader  among  the  masses. 
The  noblest  manhood  consists  in  the  broadest,  and  most 
comprehensive  views  of  life.  Just,  and  generous  man- 
hood goes  abroad,  governed  by  the  wisest,  and  most 
philanthropic  principles,  to  bless  mankind,  at  large,  with 
its  light  and  its  love. 

But,  after  all  his  research,  man  knows  but  little  at 
most ;  and,  his  limited  knowledge  is  very  imperfect. 
The  sage,  himself,  is  but  a  sedate  signal,  without  a  se- 
quel, in  wisdom's  wonderful  temple.    The  wisest  of  men 


I56  A   SEDATE   SIGNAL. 

do  not,  even,  know  themselves  to  perfection.  Phrenol- 
ogy is  doubtless  a  true  science  ;  but  none  can  interpret, 
definitely,  all  its  mysterious  hieroglyphics.  Life,  itself, 
is  undefinable  ;  and  death  one  of  the  darkest  mysteries 
to  man.  Yet,  they  are  among  the  most  solemn  realities 
of  time.  Young  men,  never  reject  the  truth,  then, 
simply  because  your  feeble  minds  can  not  fully  compre- 
hend it.  There  are  a  thousand  things  that  you  must 
accept,  without  perfectly  understanding  them.  Your  food 
is  digested;  but  you  can  not  tell  how.  You  can  sail, 
serenely,  over  the  sea ;  but  you  can  not  fathom  its  for- 
lorn caverns.  The  compass  conducts  you  across  the 
pathless  ocean  ;  yet,  you  can  not  explain  the  secrets  of 
its  magnetic  attractions.  Just  so  it  is  with  the  divine 
chart,  and  compass  given  to  guide  us  across  the  track- 
less sea  of  life.  We  can  not  fathom  all  its  sacred  truths  ; 
though  we  may  sail  successfully  by  its  light,  into  the 
haven  of  eternal  life.  The  mind  of  man  is  neither  en- 
larged, nor  enriched,  by  rejecting  revealed  truth,  though 
the  seal  of  secrecy  may  not  be  broken,  to  unbosom  to 
him  the  whole  of  infinite  wisdom. 

Young  men,  make  money ;  but  be  sure  you  make  it 
honestly.  If  the  manner  of  operation,  and  the  means 
employed  be  proper  and  right,  money  making  is  per- 
fectly legitimate.  There  is,  however,  a  foggy  region 
lying  right  between  fair,  and  fraudulent  dealing,  which 
is  always  tempting,  and  dangerous  to  money  makers. 
Beware  of  the  slightest  departure  from  the  rules  of  rec- 
titude, and  right  suggested,  by  your  better  informed 
judgments,  and  urged,  by  your  highly  cultured  con- 
sciences. A  man  must  labor  for  means,  before  he  can 
properly  appreciate  them.    As  a  rule,  money,  that  comes 


TRIFLES    AND    TREASURES.  1 57 

easy,  goes  soon.  Fortunes,  usually,  go  as  they  come. 
Most  men  of  worth,  and  wealth  have  been,  early,  given 
some  useful  employment.  Many  of  these  were  or- 
phans, whom  want  forced  to  work.  In  early  life,  they 
buckled  on  the  laborer's  armor ;  and  won  great  victories 
for  themselves,  in  their  respective  vocations.  And  now, 
they  are  among  the  wealthy,  and  worthy  men  of  the 
world. 

But,  young  men,  be  not  over  ambitious  to  gain  wealth. 
Ambition  is  a  blessing,  if  all  its  purposes  are  honor- 
able, and  all  its  ends  legitimate.  But,  if  there  be  sordid 
and  selfish  motives,  prompting  to  action,  it  is  a  great, 
and  grievous  curse.  For,  all  our  actions  are  formative 
influences,  tending  either  to  meanness,  or  manliness  of 
character.  Our  manhood  must  not  be  sacrificed,  to 
money  making,  but,  built  up,  along  with  our  fortunes. 
The  two  should  rise,  side  by  side  ;  but,  if  either  fails  let 
it  be  the  fortune  ;  for  character  is,  infinitely,  more  im- 
portant than  wealth.  Earthly  riches  can  never  compen- 
sate, for  the  forfeiture  of  spiritual  blessings.  But,  many 
persons,  like  the  rich  young  ruler,  who  came  to  Jesus, 
prefer  the  trifles  of  earth,  to  the  treasures  of  heaven. 
The  riches,  of  time,  have  more  charms  for  them,  than 
the  rewards  of  eternity. 

The  wheels  of  fortune,  ever,  move  with  the  rolling 
years.  Do  not  make  haste,  to  get  riches.  Be  patient. 
Plow  and  plant,  water  and  weed,  work  and  wait  for  the 
harvest.  But,  do  not  fail  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  to- 
day, in  your,  intense,  anxiety  to  reach  those  of  to-mor- 
row. Do  not  envy  those,  who  outrun  you,  in  the  race 
of  life.  Jealousy  is  a  green-eyed  monster.  It  is  the 
deadly  upas   of,  both,  the  social   and   business    circles. 


158  WISER    AND    WEALTHIER. 

It  poisons  the,  very,  atmosphere  we  breathe,  and  ex- 
tracts many  of  the  sweets,  from  all  the  vocations,  and 
callings  of  life.  Be  above,  and  beyond  these  petty  lit- 
tle jealousies.  They  would  rob  you,  of  your  manhood  ; 
and  embitter  your  whole  being.  Like  the  cancer,  they 
eat  and  grow  fat,  on  what  they  consume  and  destroy. 
Grow  wiser,  as  you  grow  wealthier. 

Young  men  are  the  wheels  upon  which  the  world 
moves.  They  are  the  prime  factors  of  success,  in  every 
age  of  the  world's  history.  When  the  young  men,  of 
any  generation,  fight  manfully  the  battles  of  life,  their 
labors  tell,  for  good,  upon  the  progress,  and  prosperity 
of  the  years  which  follow.  Young  men  are,  rapidly, 
being  ushered  into  positions,  of  great  responsibility ;  and 
places,  of  the  most  sacred  trust.  They,  already,  sustain 
the  most  important  relations  to  society,  at  large.  They 
are  just  on  the  eve  of  assuming  the  reigns  of  govern- 
ment. They  will  soon  be  at  the  helm  of  the  ship,  of 
both  church  and  state.  The  interests  of  humanity  de- 
mand, that  they  be  able  to  fill,  with  credit  and  honor, 
the  several  positions,  to  which  they  may  be  called. 
Young  men,  you  can  not  attach  too  much  importance, 
to  the  proper  qualifications  for  the  positions,  toward 
which  you  are,  so  rapidly  advancing.  The  possibilities 
of  young  manhood  are,  now,  within  your  grasp.  The 
paths,  which  lead  to  honor  and  renown,  are  still  before 
you.  Do  not  throw  away  the  one  ;  and  forsake  not  the 
other,  that  you  may  sow  a  few  wild  oats,  and  reap  a 
harvest  of  tears. 

The  noblest  purpose  of  young  manhood  is  a  fixed 
determination  to  leave  the  world  better,  as  a  consequence 
of  having  lived  in  it,  for  a  few  fleeting  years.     To  do 


THE    WORLD    MOVES.  1 59 

this,  young  men  must  not  circumscribe  their  benev- 
olence;  or  chain  their  charity,  to  the  church  of  their 
choice ;  but,  send  them  abroad,  on  their  missions  of 
mercy,  over  this  wide,  wide  world  of  want  and  woe. 
Young  men,  only  resolve,  in  the  strength  of  your  vigor- 
ous young  manhood,  to  go  forward  in  the  right,  and  you 
are  sure  to  succeed.  Allow  no  obstacle  to  impede  your 
onward  march,  or  side-track  your  through  train,  and  you 
will  find  imaginary  mountains  dwindling  into  insignifi- 
cant mole-hills,  as  you  approach  them,  in  your  manly 
march  toward  the  goal  of  manhood's  noblest  achieve- 
ments, and  grandest  victories.  Never  become  discour- 
aged. God  will  remove  all  the  difficulties,  which  cross 
your  pathways,  as  you  approach  them,  in  the  name  of 
his  Son  and  your  Saviour.  He  will  bridge  every  river, 
that  you  can  not  swim ;  tunnel  every  mountain,  that 
you  can  not  climb,  and  plant  an  oasis  in  every  desert, 
that  you  can  not  cross  without  his  interposition,  in  your 
behalf. 

Young  man,  the  world  moves;  and  you  must  move, 
with  it,  or  be  buried,  in  the  fossil  remains,  of  your  own 
failures^ and  follies.  Changes,  for  the  better,  both  in 
church  and  state,  are  constantly  occurring.  Progress  is 
the  world's  watchword,  and  the  voice  of  wisdom  warns 
every  young  man,  to  keep  well  abreast  with  the  times 
in  which  he  lives. 

Young  men,  shun  not,  neither  despise,  nor  disparage 
manual  labor.  It  is  a  blessing  to  our  race.  He,  who 
shirks  or  shuns  its  tasks,  can  not  share  its  full  benefits. 
Many  of  the  beatitudes  of  life  are  the  offsprings  of 
drudgery.  Leisure,  and  luxury  bring,  with  them,  a  com- 
bination of  circumstances,  which  the  strongest  are,  often, 


160  APPEARANCES. 

powerless  to  control.  These  environments  may  lead 
their  subjects,  to  excess  in  all  manner  of  sin.  But,  a 
man's  failures,  in  life,  are  not  always  attributable  to  his 
environments.  They  are,  often,  the  result  of  a  shiftless- 
ness,  which  fails  to  make  any  thing  out  of  its  surround- 
ings. 

Young  men,  appearances  do  not  cultivate  true  worth, 
or  noble  manhood.  It  takes  realities  to  make  a  man, 
the  world  over.  Nothing,  short  of  nobility  of  character, 
is  entitled  to  this  honorable  appellation.  True  man- 
hood does  not  consist  in  figure,  form  or  fashion.  Its 
make-up  is  of  entirely  different  material.  It  consists, 
chiefly,  in  contents,  conduct  and  character.  There  is  far 
more  genuine  manhood  in  what  a  fellow  really  is,  than 
there  can  possibly  be,  in  any  thing  which  he  may  merely 
appear  to  be.  Then,  young  man,  live  a  life,  whose  priv- 
ileges are  peerless ;  and  whose  purposes  are  paramount 
to  all  appearances  ;  no  matter  how  great  the  sacrifices 
required,  or  how  unremitting  the  toils  to  be  endured. 
Such  a  life  lies  through  noble  deeds  ;  leads  to  honor- 
able distinction,  and,  ultimately,  ripens  into  venerable 
old  age. 

Manhood's  real  worth  lies  in  its  innate  nobility,  and 
not,  as  some  imagine,  in  birth,  wealth,  rank  or  power. 
These  are  all  naught,  without  a  reliable  character.  It 
is  the  man  who  dignifies  the  office,  not  the  office 
the  man.  It  is  true  manhood,  which  consecrates  wealth  ; 
and  not  wealth,  that  honors  manhood.  Neither  is  a 
man's  character  to  be  found,  wholly,  in  the  powers  of 
the  head.  Its  chief  functions  are  found,  in  the  affections 
of  the  heart.     Neither  is   it   the   external,  so  much  as 


SOUR    AND    SURLY.  l6l 

the  internal,  that  defiles,  and  degrades  the  man,  rob- 
bing him  of  his  fair  name  and  prospective  fame. 

It  is  not  manly  to  praise  oneself,  even,  if  praise  is 
justly  deserved.  It  bears  the  semblance  of  conceit ; 
and  lowers  one  in  the  estimation  of  others.  Let  your 
neighbors  laud  your  good  works  ;  then  strangers  will 
give  credence  to  the  truth.  Do  not  always  be  harping, 
that  you  may  hear  the  echo  of  your  own  voice.  It  be- 
comes burdensome  to  others  ;  and  they  will  not  give 
you  credit,  for  what  you  have  done.  Let  your  works 
praise  you  ;  and  no  one  will  question  the  truthfulness 
of  their  words. 

Young  men,  make  no  false  pretensions,  For,  time 
will  tear  the  musty  mask  of  hypocrisy,  from  the  shoulders 
of  every  vile  pretender.  The  coming  judgment  will 
reveal  the  hidden  secrets  of  all  hearts.  Eternity  will 
search  the  souls,  and  right  the  wrongs  of  all  men. 
Heaven  is  the  grand  center,  toward  which  all  our 
thoughts,  and  affections  should  constantly  gravitate. 
Only  let  the  head-light,  of  the  Gospel,  shine  brightly 
upon  our  pathways,  through  life,  and  our  steps  will  lead 
us  to  glory,  and  to  God. 

This  world  is  a  mirror,  in  which  every  man  may  see 
himself,  as  others  see  him.  If  his  face  is  turned  toward 
the  world,  aglow  with  love  and  sunshine,  this  mirror  will 
give  back  its  compliment  of  peace  and  good  will.  But, 
if  he  frowns  upon  every  body  he  meets,  it  will  simply 
reflect  his  own  sour,  surly  visage  back  into  his  own  eyes. 
Let  a  man  laugh  at  the  world  ;  and  the  world  is  going 
to  laugh  back  at  him:  or  let  him  enter  into  sympathy 
with  it,  and  he  will  find  it  in  sympathy  with  him.  Love 
is   the  latent  lever  of  life.     It  will   win,  and   lead   the 


1 62  CHARACTER    VERSUS    CATECHISM , 

world.  It  moves,  unseen,  the  most  cogent  forces  oi 
time.  It  is  far  superior  to  tact,  or  talent.  But,  people 
are  not  always  what  they  feign  to  be.  Every  virtue  is 
counterfeited  ;  and  many  vices  are  whitewashed.  Let 
yours  be  a  lovely,  untarnished  life. 

A  man's  character  ought  to  be  the  counterpart,  to  the 
boy's  catechism.  And,  unless  he  changes  his  creed,  the 
one  will  be  a  faithful  exhibition  of  the  other.  Character 
is  the  image  of  the  inner  man.  Reputation  is  the 
shadow  of  the  outer  life.  Yet,  a  man's  character,  and 
nature  are  not  identical.  Neither  are  they  always  alike. 
Character  may  be  developed,  either,  along  the  line  of 
one's  natural  inclinations,  by  giving  expression  to  such 
inclinations  ;  or,  in  the  oppisite  direction,  by  opposing, 
and  repressing  the  primal  nature,  of  our  selfish  impulses. 
So,  you  see,  two  similar  natures  may  be  developed,  into 
widely  different  characters.  Or,  two  dissimilar  natures, 
into  similar  characters.  So,  character  may  be  better,  or 
worse,  than  the  nature  from  which  it  is  developed.  It 
may  prove  itself,  by  an  artless  expression  of  the  natural 
tendencies,  where  they  are  good  ;  or  improve  itself,  by 
a  wise  repression  of  the  same,  where  they  are  evil. 
Neither  is  a  man's  outer  life,  always,  in  harmony  with 
his  reputation.  Men  are  often  reputed  to  be,  what  they 
are  not.  They  have  a  name  to  live,  when  they  are 
dead.  And  some  times,  a  man's  reputation  will  sink 
below  zero,  when  the  thermometer  is  held  in  the  hands 
of  jealous,  cold-hearted  enemies,  though  his  outer  life  be, 
comparatively,  pure  and  good.  Reputation  is  what  a 
man  appears  to  be  ;  but,  character  is,  just,  what  he  is. 

Man  is  his  own  architect.  True,  he  is  an  earth-born 
being ;  but,  not,  necessarily,  a  subject  of  circumstances. 


MAN    HIS    OWN    ARCHITECT.  1 63 

He  need  not  fall  a  victim,  to  his  own  environments  :  but, 
may  become  the  victorious  architect,  of  his  own  decisive 
destiny.  A  man's  surroundings  may  blight  his  highest 
hopes,  wither  his  innate  ambitions  ;  and  rob  him  of  the 
last  vestige  of  his  noble  manhood  ;  or,  they  may  be 
made  subservient  to  his  best  purposes,  and  grandest 
achievements  in  life.  They  may  become  stepping-stones, 
upon  which,  by  the  dent  of  his  own  manly  exertion,  he 
rises  to  reach  the  lofty  pinnacles  of  fame,  fortune  and 
favor  with  God  and  man.  Circumstances,  apparently, 
the  most  favorable,  often,  fail  to  lift  young  men,  into 
seats  of  usefulness  ;  while  surroundings,  thought  to  be 
the  most  forbidding,  frequently,  elevate  them  to  places 
of  honorable  distinction.  He,  who  wills  to  be  good  and 
great,  can  always  find  a  way,  to  carve  out,  for  himself, 
a  grand,  and  glorious  destiny. 

Young  men,  certain  lines  of  conduct  lead,  inevitably, 
to  success  in  life ;  while  others,  just  as  surely,  end  in 
failure.  For  instance,  you  may  always  depend  upon 
honesty,  industry  and  economy  to  bring  you  a  fortune ; 
but  you  can  never  trust  to  trickery,  chance  or  strategem 
for,  even,  the  necessaries  of  life.  You  should  be  honest, 
from  principle  ;  and  you  will  find  it  the  best  policy,  in  the 
end.  It  can  never  be  true  expediency,  to  sacrifice  the 
right  to  the  wrong.  Nothing  is  expedient,  that  is  not 
strictly  legitimate.  Expediency  is  the  offspring  of  right 
— the  rule  of  rectitude,  industry  and  economy. 

Young  men,  keep  out  of  debt.  If  possible,  pay  as 
you  go.  If  you  find  your  business  involving  you,  call  a 
halt.  If  you  can  not  make  the  landing,  safely,  do  not 
begin  to  borrow  money ;  but  stop  at  once.  To  dive 
deeper,  in  debt,  will  only  increase  your  difficulties,  in  the 


I64  UTILIZE    THE    FUTURE. 

near  future.  Indebtedness  is  a  hard  master  to  serve. 
It  is,  indeed,  a  cruel,  and  tyrannical  despot.  The  debtor 
is  often  a  slave  to  his  creditor.  His  very  life  is,  some- 
times, in  his  hands.  Nothing,  that  he  has,  can  he  call 
his  own.  He  labors  ;  but  is  not  allowed  to  live,  off  of 
the  fruit  of  his  own  toil.  He  sacrifices  his  own,  and  his 
family's  comforts,  to  fill  the  coffers  of  another,  and  re- 
ceives no  thanks  in  return.  You  should  be  industrious  ; 
and  use  economy,  in  all  things,  if  you  would  prosper, 
and  lay  up  something,  in  store,  for  after-life.  Waste 
nothing,  and  you  shall  never  come  to  want.  A  failure, 
anywhere  along  the  line  of  life,  may  forfeit  your  fortune ; 
unless,  you  take  advantage  of  your  mistakes.  They 
furnish,  favorable,  opportunities  for  improvement.  It  is 
futile,  to  look,  longingly,  to  the  past,  and  grieve  over 
your  follies.  The  future  is,  still,  before  you.  Utilize  it, 
as  it  passes  by,  on  tireless  wings  ;  for  it,  too,  will  soon 
be  gone.  Be  prompt  in  business.  This  will  insure 
confidence,  and  lead  to  success.  You  can  not  afford 
to  be  negligent,  or  indifferent,  in  the,  smallest,  affairs 
of  life. 

Decision  is  an  important  trait  of  character.  It  is  the 
presiding  judge,  over  every  personal  court.  It  is  the 
chancellor,  who  settles  all  questions  of  personal  doubt ; 
and  maintains  order,  and  decorum  in  the  mental  "  sanc- 
tum sanctorum."  Decision  receives,  and  bestows  in- 
numerable, and  inestimable  favors.  Without  it,  we  would 
starve,  with  our  coffers  full  of  gold.  We  would  perish, 
without  it,  while  life  is  offered,  without  money,  and  with- 
out price.  Indecision  is  man's  disparaging  adversary. 
It  weakens  his  purposes,  and  wastes  his  time ;  loses 
opportunities,    and    accomplishes    nothing.       It    is    an 


ACTIVITY.  165 

enemy,  to  his  best  interests.  Then,  decide,  promptly, 
the  questions  of  life.  Promptness  places  us  on  time,  to 
grasp  every  opportunity,  that  presents  itself.  A  lost 
opportunity  is  a  worthless  thing.  Decision,  energy  and 
dispatch  make  the  world  move.  The  man,  who  pos- 
sesses them,  will  make  his  mark  among  men  ;  no  matter 
what  his  calling,  or  environments  may  chance  to  be. 

Activity  is  an,  essential,  element  to  success.  The 
arduous  duties  of  life  demand  the  orderly,  and  earnest 
exercise  of  all  our  latent  energies.  Order;  and  earnest- 
ness mean  efficiency  in  action  ;  and  inevitably  lead  to 
success  in  life.  Work  for  wealth  ;  and  wait  for  results. 
Never  grow  impatient.  Plant,  and  plow,  and  trust  the 
Giver  of  all  good,  for  the  increase.  Remember,  God 
has  his  century-plants  ;  and  they  will  bud,  and  blossom 
at  his  bidding.  He,  often,  holds,  the  best  laid  schemes 
of  men,  in  check  for  a  time,  that  his  own  divine  hand 
may  be,  the  more  fully,  recognized,  in  the  bountiful 
harvest  that  follows. 

Industry  is  another  essential  to  success.  Young  men, 
be  industrious,  if  you  would  obtain  wealth.  The  lazy 
man's  gold  is  in  the  rainbow  ;  his  silver  is  in  the  moon, 
and  his  mansions  are,  all,  castles  in  the  air.  His  hopes 
take  wings  and  fly ;  his  resolutions  run  away,  and  his 
expectations  die.  Laziness  never  did  have  any  luck, 
except  that  of  the  loafer,  or  the  lounger.  Luck,  and  labor 
are  antipodes.  They  have  no  affinity,  for  each  other. 
Luck  is  a  lazy,  lying  loafer,  lounging  around,  waiting  for 
a  legacy,  he  has  never  merited.  Labor  is  a  lovely  lad, 
who  lays  the  heaviest  loads  upon  his  broad  shoulders ; 
and  his  industry  leads  to  leisure,  and  luxury  in  after 
years.    Luck  looks  to  chance,  and  is  sorely  disappointed; 


l66  HONOR    AND    VIRTUE. 

while  labor  leans  on  character,  and  realizes  his  most 
sanguine  expectations. 

Honor  is  an,  essential,  element  in  manhood.  He, 
who  possesses  it,  bears  about,  in  his  soul,  a  priceless 
jewel.  His  faults,  and  follies  are  few,  and  far  between. 
Honor  is  founded  upon  principle  ;  not  upon  personal  in- 
terest, and  is  the  outgrowth  of  virtue,  rather  than  the 
offspring  of  vice.  Virtue,  and  honor  were  Roman 
gods ;  and  the  temple  of  honor  could  only  be  reached, 
through  the  temple  of  virtue.  A  high  sense  of  honor 
is  an,  unmistakable,  evidence  of  genuine  manhood. 
But,  if  not  virtuous,  then  never  proclaim  yourself  an 
honorable  man  ;  for  honor  is  anchored  to  virtue.  You 
must  be  virtuous,  if  you  would  be  honorable.  A  noble, 
virtuous  life  is  the  beau-ideal  of  the  truest,  purest  and 
most  honorable  manhood.  In  such  a  life  is  found  a 
loving,  loyal  heart,  that  ever  beats  true  to  its  solemn 
vows. 

Young  man,  bend  every  energy  of  your  being,  in  car- 
rying out  your  honest  convictions.  Get  in  the  line  of 
work,  for  which  you  are  naturally  fitted;  and  then,  let 
the  heavens  fall  rather  than  leave  it.  Be  diligent,  and 
you  will  be  delighted  in  your  life-pursuit.  But,  you 
should  not  be  buried  in  business.  A  part  of  your  time, 
and  talents  belong  to  the  Lord.  Do  not  overestimate 
wealth.  It  is  not  the  most  valuable  thing  you  can  pos- 
sess. It  confers  neither  peace  of  mind,  nor  purity  of 
heart.  Do  not  overestimate  your  own  ability;  and 
never  take,  to  yourself,  the  honor  belonging  to  another. 
Be  not  over  ambitious,  or  avaricious ;  for  either  will  stint 
your  soul,  and  sap  the  substance  from  your  manhood. 
Do  not  galvanize  your  actions  ;  or  whitewash  your  works. 


NASTY   NOVELS.  1 67 

If  they  are  pure  gold,  their  value  will  be  reduced  ;  and, 
if  counterfeit,  they  will  be  valueless  still.  Be  not  egotist- 
ical. Egotists  are  too  ignorant,  to  know  their  own  lit- 
tleness. Be  cheerful,  through  life.  You  are  not  the 
denison,  of  a  dark  dungeon.  The  dignity,  and  destiny 
of  your  manhood  may  meet  the  divine  approbation. 
God  gives  you  the  sunlight  of  life;  and  you  ought  to 
be  happy.  The  charm  of  cheerfulness  is,  to  a  change- 
less character,  what  the  motionless  moonbeams  are  to 
the  peaceful  waters,  of  the  placid  sea. 

Young  men,  read  neither  novel,  skeptical  nor  infidel 
literature.  It  will  only  inflate  your  heads,  and  poison 
your  hearts.  It  can  make  you,  neither  wiser  nor  better  ; 
but  may  blight  your  lives,  and  damn  your  souls.  Shun 
these  little,  yellow-backed  novels,  as  you  would  the 
poisonous  tarantula,  or  the  deadly  adder.  They  will 
soon  sap  the  mental  manhood,  from  your  heads ;  the 
moral,  from  your  hearts,  and  leave  you  worthless  wrecks, 
wedded  to  dime  novel  reading.  Most  novels,  like  many 
Sunday  papers,  are  not  censors  of  public  morals  ;  but 
caterers  to  the  perverted  taste  of  the  public.  These 
nasty,  naked  novels ;  and  this  obscene,  and  obnoxious 
literature,  the  vile  productions  of  skepticism  and  infidel- 
ity, like  so  many  lewd,  and  licentious  devils,  are  to  be 
seen  floating,  leisurely  along  down  the  sin-polluted 
stream  of  time,  toward  the  yawning  gulf  of  perdition, 
with  their  millions  of  devotees.  Read,  only,  such  books 
as  will  have  a  tendency  to  develop  the  mental,  elevate 
the  moral  and  enrich  the  spiritual  faculties  of  your  im- 
mortal souls.  A  man  may  make  his  own  fortune,  or 
mold  his  own  future.  He  may  account  his  life  a  fact, 
or  a  fiction.     He  may  see  more  in  the  fables  of  Esop, 


168  THE    LIQUOR    TRAFFIC. 

than  he  does  in  the  feasts  of  the  Gospel.  But,  God's 
laws  are,  both,  inviolate  and  immutable  ;  and  he,  who 
aspires  to  the  highest  type  of  manhood,  must  keep  his 
commandments,  and  walk  in  his  precepts. 

Young  men,  be  temperate  in  all  things,  and  at  all 
times,  if  you  would  develop  the  highest  type  of  phys- 
ical, mental  and  moral  manhood.  For,  perfect  man- 
hood forbids  excess  in  any  thing,  at  any  time.  Nervous 
power  is  absolutely  essential  to  all  bodily  functions ; 
and,  if  wasted  on  one  or  more,  it  must,  of  necessity,  be 
deficient  in  all  others.  Do  not  indulge,  even  moder- 
ately, in  the  use  of  strong  drink.  With  all  the  restric- 
tions which  are  thrown  around  the  liquor  traffic,  in  our 
country,  it  is  the  great  evil  of  the  day.  It  is  the  deadly 
Upas-tree  of  the  world,  that  is  throwing  its  withering, 
blasting,  blackening,  damning  shadows  over  all  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth.  Give  free  license  to  the  liquor  traffic, 
and  it  would  soon  drench,  and  doom,  and  damn  our  en- 
tire race.  Young  men,  rally  around  the  Prohibition 
standard,  where,  alone,  there  is  safety  for  yourselves, 
and  others ;  and  spare,  oh  spare  !  your  beloved  country 
the  shame,  and  disgrace  of  strong  drink,  coming  gen- 
erations the  evils,  and  infamy  of  being  the  offsprings  of 
a  nation  of  drunkards  and  heaven  itself  the  melting 
tears  of  blasted  hopes. 

All  men  exert,  more  or  less,  influence  upon  their  fel- 
lows. Silent  influences,  are,  often,  most  potent.  The 
wordiest  people  are  not  always  the  wisest.  A  world 
of  wisdom  lies,  beyond  the  world  of  words.  The  sage, 
often,  means  more  than  he  says.  The  stillest  waters 
are  found,  in  the  depth  of  the  sea.  The  burdens  of 
the  heaviest  hearts  are  borne  in  silence.     The  deepest 


INFLUENCE.  169 

love  flows  slowest,  but  longest.  Silent  lips  are  some- 
times most  impressive.  The  purest  joys  are  the  under 
currents.  Kindness,  and  contentment  are  the  soft,  si- 
lent showers,  which  refresh,  and  invigorate  the  growing 
soul  of  generous  manhood. 

Every  man  exerts  an  influence,  for  weal  or  woe,  upon 
some  one  else.  We  are  all  touching  our  associates,  on 
every  side  of  life.  And  we  may  be  helping  to  shape 
the  characters,  and  fix  the  destiny  of  some,  who  are 
entire  strangers  to  us.  A  man's  plans,  and  purposes 
may  all  revolve  around  himself,  as  a  common  center ; 
and  yet,  within  and  without  their  orbits,  will  appear  con- 
centric circles,  enclosing  other  agents,  and  effecting 
other  interests.  His  influence  may  be  as  silent,  as  the 
sunshine ;  but,  that  will  not  make  it  the  less  salient. 
It  may  be  unconsciously  exerted  ;  but,  that  will  not 
render  it  the  less  potential.  We  are  all  surely,  though 
it  may  be  silently,  saturating  the  very  atmosphere, 
around  us,  with  the  secret,  and  subtile  influences  of 
our  lives. 

Young  man,  be  social.  Society  has  claims,  upon  you, 
which  should  force  you  to  enter  her  circles,  and  help  to 
wield  her  golden  scepter,  for  good,  over  all  classes,  and 
conditions  of  the  human  family.  The  very  best  young 
men  should  take  the  lead  in  society,  shrinking  from 
naught,  but  bad  morals.  Pay  society  your  just  dues  ; 
and  you  will  be  amply  rewarded,  for  all  your  sacrifices. 
Do  not  demand  social  recognition,  until  you  have 
placed  society  under  some  obligations  to  you.  Scorn 
to  be  a  beneficiary,  where  you  have  conferred  no  favors. 
But,  let  the  society,  you  enter,  be  free  from  vulgarities. 
Let  it  be  pure  and  potent,  seeking  to  elevate  and  refine, 
14 


I70  MODESTY    THE    MAIN-SPRING. 

rather  than  to  pet  and  to  pamper.  Let  it  feast  its 
guests,  on  the  rarest,  social  dainties,  rather  than  fill 
them,  with  the  choicest  culinary  viands.  If  you  would 
be  a  potential  element,  then  be  social ;  but,  if  you  want 
to  be  a  powerless  factor;  just  exclude  yourself  from  so- 
ciety— be  a  helpless  hermit. 

Simplicity  is  a  crowning  grace  in  the  manners,  and 
movements  of  cultured  young  gentlemen.  The  aspiring 
young  man  can  neither  afford  to  be  foolish  nor  foppish, 
in  the  display  of  his  mannerisms.  The  exterior  acts, 
and  artifices,  of  the  true  and  trustworthy  gentleman, 
are  but  fair  exponents  of  his  inner,  and  artless  life. 

Young  men,  be  modest.  Modesty  is  the  main-spring 
of  a  manly  character.  It  gives  evidence  of  motive, 
and  manliness  in  our  conduct.  Manhood's  manliest 
mien  is  molded,  in  modesty,  and  clothed  with  mercy. 
You  would  do  well  to  adorn  your  characters,  with  all 
the  gentler  graces  of  cultured  refinement;  for  along 
with  the  stronger,  nobler,  grander  graces,  they  are  in- 
dispensable to  the  highest,  and  purest  type  of  modern 
manhood. 

Gentleness  makes  a  great  man  greater,  and  a  strong 
man  stronger.  Subdued  strength,  always,  embodies  an 
additional  element  of  power.  There  is  a  reserve  force 
in  it,  that  gives  confidence,  and  insures  success.  Se- 
renity of  soul  is  the  outgrowth  oi  severe  discipline — 
the  offspring  of  self-control — and  not,  as  many  suppose, 
a  constitutional  characteristic.  Any  one  may  become 
gentle,  in  manners,  and  lovely,  in  life,  under  proper  self- 
restraint,  and  continued  discipline.  But,  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  highest  order  of  manhood,  every  talent 
must  be  well  cared  for,  and  every  grace  properly  cult- 


GALLANTRY.  1 7  I 

ured.  Natural  ability  may  grovel  in  the  dust ;  but 
cultivated  genius  will  revel  among  the  stars,  and  com- 
mune with  the  angels. 

Young  men,  be  gallant.  Your  sex  is  naturally  more 
given  to  gallantry,  however,  than  to  generosity  or  judg- 
ment. Remember,  these  make  a  good  mixture ;  and 
this  mixture  makes  a  marvelous  man.  But,  where  men 
are  wanting,  in  any  of  these  essentials  to  true  manhood, 
we  ought  to  be  generous  enough  to  attribute  it  to 
empty  heads,  rather  than  to  evil  hearts. 

Young  men,  be  brothers  to  your  sisters.  Give  them 
your  first,  and  best  thoughts.  Show  them  that  atten- 
tion, and  courtesy  that  you  do  your  sweethearts.  Let 
the  interest,  you  manifest  in  their  welfare,  be  the 
measure  of  your  affection  for  them.  If  a  sister  is  just 
entering  the  social  circle,  see  that  her  associates  are 
gentlemen,  of  pure  minds  and  perfect  morals.  Consti- 
tute yourself  the  custodian  of  her  good  name ;  and 
shield  her  from  the  temptations,  of  the  vulgar  and  the 
vile,  who  are  attempting  to  counterfeit  virtue,  in  their 
social  lives.  Always,  enter  into  their  enjoyments,  as  far 
as  possible  ;  afford  them  the  assistance  of  your  judg- 
ments, in  all  matters  of  interest,  and  accompany  them, 
on  all  public  occasions,  unless  they  have  suitable  escorts. 
These  little  acts  of  courtesy,  to  your  sisters,  constitute 
the  poetry  of  life.  Their  memories  will  tune  your 
hearts,  in  after  days,  to  heavenly  harmonies.  Such 
manly  conduct,  toward  your  sisters,  is  calculated  to 
quicken  your  throbbing  hearts,  and  unseal  the  deepest 
fountains  of  their  latent  love. 

Young  men,  seek  the  society  of  your  sisters.  Court 
their  friendship  and  confidence.     Spend  a  great  deal  of 


172  GAIN,  IN    GOLD. 

your  leisure  time,  in  their  presence.  These  associations 
will  be  two-fold,  in  their  effects.  While  your  presence, 
as  guards  and  guides,  shield,  and  protect  them  from 
the  wicked,  and  wayward  of  your  sex,  their  influences, 
over  you,  will  be  constantly  reforming,  and  refining  your 
characters,  and  introducing  you  to  the  best  society  of 
their  sex.  The  society  of  pure  sisters,  always,  tends 
to  make  virtue  more  lovely,  and  vice  more  loathsome, 
in  the  eyes  of  truly  devoted  brothers.  Many  of  our 
purest,  and  most  perfect  men  owe  their  escape  from  the 
temptations,  incident  to  young  manhood-life,  to  the  af- 
fectionate companionship  of  their  pious,  and  devoted 
sisters. 

Young  men,  be  virtuous,  if  you  would  be  great  and 
good.  You  owe  as  much  to  your  female  associates. 
Your  own  personal  interests  demand  a  virtuous  life. 
Virtue  may  be  far  below  par,  in  the  estimation  of  the 
vulgar  and  the  vile,  who  would  lower  the  standard  of 
morality,  to  a  level  with  their  own  vicious,  and  depraved 
natures  :  but,  a  strict  adherence  to  its  precious  princi- 
ples must,  ever,  command  the  highest  encomiums  of 
praise,  from  the  good,  and  the  great  of  earth. 

A  misuse  of  this  world  makes  men  miserable,  both 
here  and  hereafter.  Gain,  in  gold,  does  not,  neces- 
sarily, give  joy,  and  gladness  to  the  soul.  Happiness  is 
a  coy  maid ;  whom,  you  must  not  appear  to  woo,  if  you 
would  be  sure  to  win.  She  ever  eludes  the  grasp,  of 
her  flattering  pursuer.  She  will  not  be  wooed,  for  her 
wealth  ;  nor  won,  for  her  own  worth.  She  will  consent 
to  be  yours,  only,  at  wisdom's  shrine,  where  all  is  laid 
upon  the  altar  of  duty.  She  will  become  your  bride, 
only,  when  you  use  wisely  th,e  good  things  of  this  world, 


CHARITABLE    CHARACTERS.  173 

in  preparation  for  the  world  beyond.  Then,  if  you 
would  be,  comparatively,  happy  here  ;  and,  supremely, 
happy  hereafter,  cultivate,  assiduously,  all  the  Gospel 
graces.  Let  the  grand  principles  of  sincerity,  integrity 
and  fidelity  shine  out,  in  your  lives  ;  and  shun,  as  you 
would  the  worst  of  enemies,  deception,  duplicity  and 
infidelity. 

Be  charitable,  young  men.  Be  not  merely  passive  ; 
but,  also  positive  characters.  Give,  as  well  as  receive, 
blessings.  To  be  good  is  noble  ;  to  get  better  is  nobler  ; 
but,  to  do  our  very  best,  in  the  battles  of  life,  is  the 
noblest  thing  of  all.  Let  us  do  all  the  good  we  possibly 
can.  Charity's  deeds  often  double,  in  their  doing-;  and 
when  they  do,  the  larger  share,  always,  comes  back,  to 
bless  the  doer.  In  fact,  there  are  two  blessings,  in  each 
gift  of  charity ;  and  the  greater  is  for  the  donor,  if  given 
in  the  proper  spirit.  He  receives  the  largest  blessings, 
who  most  liberally  bestows  blessings,  upon  others.  He 
finds  most  solid  comfort,  who,  most  willingly,  comforts 
those  around  him.  He  experiences  the  sweetest  joys, 
who,  constantly,  brings  joy  to  the  hearts  of  others. 
And,  he  is  happiest  of  all,  who  never  loses  an  opportu- 
nity to  make  others  happy. 

Remember,  young  men,  that  the  pathways  of  others, 
though  not  parallel  with  your  own,  are  not  the  less 
rugged  ;  that  their  tasks,  though  lighter  than  yours,  are 
not  the  less  laborious  to  them.  Such  reflections  are 
well  calculated  to  increase  your  patience,  lighten  your 
loads  and  double  your  charity,  for  other  people.  In 
fact,  the  more  a  man  mingles,  among  his  fellows,  the 
more  cosmopolitan  he  becomes.  He  is  the  more  dis- 
posed to  show  a  kind  regard  for  the  rights  of  others. 


174  A  man's  love. 

Charity  adopts  a  much  more  comprehensive  creed,  and 
a  more  concise  code  of  morals,  than  is  to  be  found  else- 
where. She  grants  the  greatest  liberty,  without  license  ; 
but  demands  equity,  at  the  expense  of  justice.  Charity 
has  a  large  heart,  and  a  liberal  soul. 

Man  is,  naturally,  an  affectionate  being.  He  may  not 
love  so  tenderly,  and  devotedly  as  woman  :  but,  his  af- 
fections are  certainly  not  less  intense  or  vigorous.  A 
man's  love,  for  a  woman,  is  simply  unconquerable.  He 
will  ride,  recklessly,  upon  the  billowy  bosom  of  the 
mighty  deep ;  climb,  fearlessly,  the  rugged  mountains  ol 
ice  ;  traverse,  heedlessly,  trackless  forests ;  cross,  cheer- 
fully, burning  deserts,  and,  bravely,  face  danger,  disease 
and  death,  that  he  may  share  her  love,  and  comfort  her 
life.  Young  men,  prove  faithful  in  your  love  affairs  :  for, 
nothing  lingers  longer,  or  lies  heavier,  on  the  human 
heart,  than  a  load  of  lost  love. 

Young  men,  get  married.  It  is  not  good  for  a  man, 
to  live  alone. 

The  bachelor's  life  is  one  of  strife, 

Anger,  tumult  and  toil ; 
And,  hard  is  the  way  of  those,  who  say, 

"  We'll  not  give  our  gold  for  a  smile." 

But,  happy  the  man  who,  if  he  can, 

A  loving  wife  provides  ; 
And,  in  this  way,  the  toil  of  the  day, 

And  the  labor  of  life  divides. 

Think,  dreary  bachelor,  when  all  alone, 

How  changed  your  lot  might  be  ; 
If  you'd  but  essay,  to  let  in  a  ray, 

That  would  cause  wan  darkness  to  flee. 


THE    BACHELOR'S    LIFE.  1 75 

Now,  just  relent,  you'll  never  repent 

The  act,  that  sets  you  free  ; 
For,  with  love  inlaid,  the  hands  of  a  maid 

Golden  floods  will  lavish  on  thee. 

He  is  but  half  a  man,  at  best,  who  has  no  wife  to  share 
his  joys,  divide  his  sorrows  and  throw  sunshine,  with 
her  love,  into  the  darkest  scenes  of  his  life.  Young 
men,  marry  early  :  for  the  best  years  of  your  love  will 
be,  the  years  of  your  youth.  Gain  the  love  of  a  good 
woman ;  and  retain  it  through  life,  and  you  will  add,  to 
your  own  moral  force,  a  power  that  will  be  felt,  for 
good,  wherever  you  go.  Bachelors  seldom,  if  ever, 
make  a  success  of  life.  They  live,  with  no  one  to  love 
them,  and  die,  with  none  to  lament  their  loss.  And  men, 
who  have  bad  wives,  are  almost  sure  to  prove  failures. 
A  man  can  easily  make  the  mistake  of  his  life,  in  select- 
ing a  companion.  So,  choose  wisely,  if  you  would 
choose  well,  the  wife  of  your  youth  and  years. 

Young  men,  by  all  means,  accept  Christ,  as  your 
personal  Saviour.  Your  highest  interests  demand  as 
much.  A  man's  final  rejection,  or  acceptance  of  Christ 
forecasts  the  verdict  of  life  or  death.  In  this  sense,  he 
writes  his  own  sentence,  for  the  final  judgment;  and 
thus  becomes  the  arbiter,  of  his  own  eternal  destiny. 
The  trouble  is  this,  men  add  reason,  to  reason,  still  re- 
jecting Christ ;  while  women,  simply,  believe  and  are 
saved.  Christianity  is  a,  common-sense,  system  of 
moral  ethics.  It  does  not  require  a  philosophic  mind,  to 
solve  its  practical  problems,  or  master  its  spiritual 
lessons.  Its  principles  become  peerless  ;  and  its  precepts 
priceless,  when  accepted,  by  faith,  to  the  savage  as  well 


I76  A    LIVING,    LOVING    SAVIOUR. 

as  to  the  sage.  Young  man,  your  future  weal,  or  woe 
hangs  pivoted,  on  the  decision  of  a  moment.  Happi- 
ness here,  and  heaven  hereafter,  if  you  decide  for 
Christ  :  or  revelry  now,  and  ruin  eternally,  if  you  reject 
him,  to  the  end  of  life. 

The  Christ,  who  comes  to  save  you,  comes  as  a  living, 
loving  Saviour,  human  in  sympathy,  but  divine  in  power, 
to  lift  all  the  burdens  of  sin,  and  sorrow  from  your 
aching  hearts,  and  set  your  souls  at  perfect  liberty  in 
his  love.  The  religion,  he  tenders  you,  is  a  divine  re- 
ality. It  is  something  that  can  be  felt,  in  the  hearts,  and 
seen,  in  the  lives  of  his  followers.  The  possessor  can 
truthfully  say,  "I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed;"  and, 
the  observer  can  see  the  brightest  evidences  of  faith,  in 
such  a  soul,  as  clearly  as  the  sunshine  can  be  seen, 
mirrored  on  the  face  of  the  crystal  waters,  beneath,  or 
above  him.  But,  the  most  brilliant  career,  of  sin,  will 
inevitably  end,  sooner  or  later,  in  shame  and  disgrace  ; 
while  the  pathway,  of  the  just,  shineth  brighter,  and 
brighter,  even  unto  the  perfect  day. 

A  man  should  not  receive  truth  enough  to  save  his 
soul,  ten  times  over  ;  and  still  live  in  sin.  He  should 
not  give  the  assent  of  his  mind,  to  the  truths  of  the 
Gospel ;  and,  then,  withhold  the  acknowledgment  of 
his  heart.  He  should  not  hold  the  truth,  in  unrighteous- 
ness, but  in  holiness.  Such  men  approve  of  the  way  of 
life  ;  but  continue  to  travel  the  road,  that  leads  to  death. 
Their  own  consciences  condemn  their  actions  ;  and  they 
will  be  forced  to  say  amen,  to  their  own  condemnation. 
The  seed  of  Gospel  truth,  lodged  in  the  mind  of  man, 
wants  to  be  quickened,  by  the  warmth  of  the  Spirit ;  and 
moistened,   with  the   dews   of   divine  grace,   if  it   ever 


A    FOUR-FOLD    REVELATION.  I  jy 

germinates,  springs  up  and  bears  fruit,  to  the  salvation 
of  the  soul,  and  the  glory  of  God. 

God's  revelation,  to  man,  is  four-fold,  in  its  mode  of 
communication.  The  spirit  breathed  into  him,  at  his 
creation  ;  the  unfoldings  of  human  history  ;  the  teach- 
ings of  nature,  and  the  gift  of  the  Bible  constitute  a  full, 
and  perfect  revelation,  which  leaves  our  race  without 
excuse,  if  they  reject  the  Christ  of  the  Gospels.  But, 
if  men  would,  only,  heed  the  admonitions  of  their  hearts, 
and  the  overtures  of  heaven,  they  would  all  accept 
Christ,  and  be  saved.  The  law  of  conscience  is  funda- 
mental. It  underlies  all  other  laws.  Without  it,  the 
execution  of  statutory  law  would  be  impossible  ;  and 
constitutional  law  would  be  a  dead  letter.  The  heart  is 
a  judgment  hall,  where  the  conscience  arraigns  its 
subjects,  and  forces  them  to  hear  evidence,  for  and 
against  their  conduct,  as  it  chances  to  prove  good  or 
bad.  And  from  its  just,  and  righteous  verdict  there  can 
be  no  appeal. 

Young  men,  you  ought  to  love  God  supremely.  The 
gift  of  his  Son  voices  the  love  of  the  Father  to  the 
world.  This  love  shines,  like  the  light  of  life,  to  all 
men  ;  for,  it  is  the  union  of  all  the  heavenly  graces,  in 
one  divine  element.  This  element  of  love,  as  a  great 
religious  principle,  is  the  very  essence  of  our  holy 
religion  ;  the  parent  of  all  its  graces,  and  the  citadel  of 
its  strength  and  glory.  When  this  love  is  deeply  seated, 
in  our  hearts,  its  fruits  are,  always,  manifold  in  our  lives. 
It  reveals  a  warm  welcome,  to  every  heart ;  and  sends  a 
flood,  of  light  and  joy,  into  every  home  it  enters.  It 
gives,  in  the  same  grateful  spirit,  that  it  receives.  It  is 
the  hope  of  human  hearts,  and  the  life  of  longing  souls. 


1 78 


THE    HEAVEN    OF    HEAVENS. 


To  the  consecrated  Christian,  love  is  the  normal  condi- 
tion of  life.  He  ever  lives  in  an  element,  and  breathes 
the  atmosphere  of  love.  He  grows,  with  its  growth, 
and  matures,  with  its  maturity.  His  life  is  perfected  by 
love. 

When  we  contemplate  Jehovah,  as  our  just  Judge  ; 
and  the  avenger  of  all  sin,  we  can  but  fear,  and  fall  be- 
fore him,  crying  for  mercy:  but,  only,  let  us  see  him, 
once,  as  our  heavenly  Father,  and  our  fearful  forebodings 
are  banished  forever  ;  and,  in  our  hearts,  are  kindled 
the  sunlight  of  heavenly  hopes.  He  walks  wisely,  who 
is  guided  by  God's  law,  and  guarded  by  his  love.  Such 
a  man  deals  fairly,  and  faithfully  with  his  Maker.  He 
makes  equitable  returns,  and  annual  settlements  with 
the  Lord,  as  a  wise  Stewart.  He  is  religiously  just,  lest 
he  should  be  found  guilty  of  gross  embezzlement,  in  the 
day  of  final  accounts.  In  his  love  and  devotion,  to  God 
and  man,  he  rears  a  monument  to  his  manhood,  lasting 
as  eternity,  and  high  as  the  Heaven  of  heavens. 


u 


MOTHERHOOD, 


MOTHER-HOOD. 


Chapter  VII. 


77*,?  mother,  with  maternal  devotion, 

Has  a  love,  as  deep  as  the  depth  of  the  ocean. 


OTHER-HOOD  is  life  lost  in  love. 
It  is  life  in  its  fruitage.  It  is  life 
multiplied.  Maternity  brings,  with 
it,  a  joy  of  the  sweetest,  a  love  of 
the  purest,  and  a  care  of  the  ten- 
derest  type,  known  to  the  human 
heart.  Mother-hood  carries,  with 
it,  a  sacredness  peculiarly  its  own. 
The  happy  mother  smiles,  in  calm 
contentment,  upon  the  tiny  infant,  which  lies  cradled  in 
her  maternal  arms. 

Mother-hood  is  the  child's  ideal  heart-home,  where 
virtue  dwells,  the  graces  reign  and  love-flowers  bloom, 
and  blossom  the  whole  year  round.  It  is  the  conse- 
crated altar,  upon  which  noble  sons,  and  devoted  daugh- 
ters, daily,  place  their  peace-offerings  of  love  and  de- 
votion. The  mother  sways  the  empire  of  young  hearts ; 
and  guides  the  crafts  of  young  lives.  Her  mission  is 
one   of    love  and  mercy.      She,   who    rocks  the    cradle, 


l80  THE  WORD,    MOTHER. 

helps  to  rule  the  world.  The  mother's  heart  should  be 
a  sacred  refuge  for  her  beloved  boy,  from  all  the  snares 
of  life;  for,  that  same  heart  is  the  holy  sanctum  for  her 
darling  daughter,  who  is  ever  shielded  by  its  love  and 
watch-care. 

Mother-hood  sits  on  the  throne,  at  the  fountain-head 
of  life  ;  and  presides  over  the  first  years  of  our  exist- 
ence. The  world  is  cradled  in  maternal  arms.  The 
race  is  matured  on  the  maternal  bosom.  The  mother 
holds,  in  her  hands,  the  secret  springs  of  influence, 
which  govern  the  nations.  She  molds  the  minds,  which 
move  the  world. 

Around  the  word,  mother,  cluster  many  of  the  tender- 
est,  and  most  hallowed  associations  of  life.  Mother  is, 
and  ever  has  been,  a  most  sacred  word,  to  the  children 
of  men.  It  lies  on  the  heart  of  childhood,  like  dew- 
drops  on  the  rose  of  summer,  only  to  refresh  and  invigor- 
ate. It  lingers,  in  the  memories  of  after  years,  to  de- 
velop, and  sustain  the  virtues  of  its  own  planting,  in 
early  life.  It  links  the  cradle  to  the  crown,  when  age 
stands,  hopefully,  on  the  brink  of  time,  anticipating  a 
happy  reunion,  with  sainted  mothers,  in  the  glory  land. 
We  all  love  to  think,  of  a  mother's  tender  watch-care — 
her  long  night  vigils;  and  her  marvelous,  and  match- 
less love  felt  for  us;  for  in  this  love,  we  find  a  full 
fountain  of  life,  that  is  truly  refreshing,  and  invigorating 
to  our  souls.  All  the  glories  of  manhood,  should  bow, 
in  reverence,  before  the  sacred  memories  of  a  sainted 
mother's  consecrated  love. 

The  mother  sustains  one  of  the  most  responsible  re- 
lations to  humanity,  at  large,  known  to  Christian  civili- 
zation.    Her  influence,  through  her  sons  and  daughters, 


THE    CONSECRATED    MOTHER.  151 

soon  tells,  for  weal  or  woe,  upon  the  destinies  of  em- 
pires. Her  heart  is  the  charming  center — the  fixed 
focus  of  human  affections.  And,  the  last,  and  lowest 
step  taken,  by  a  prodigal  son,  is  the  loss  of  love  for 
the  devoted  mother,  whose  heart,  still,  bleeds  over  his 
worthlessness.  The  boy  should  never  forget  his  moth- 
er's love.  A  grateful  son  has  a  strong  hold,  upon  the 
maternal  heart.  He  is  the  mother's  pride,  and  promise 
through  life.  He  may  be  her  first-born,  the  son  of  her 
happier  days.  It  may  be  his  privilege;  and  should  be 
his  pleasure,  to  provide  for  her,  during  the  evening  of 
her  earthly  existence.  But,  oh  !  how  terrible  the  thought, 
and  how  wretched  the  lives  of  those  sons,  who,  by  their 
profligacy,  have  drained  a  mother's  cup  of  happiness, 
to  its  very  dregs ;  and  so  embittered  her  life,  as  to  make 
her  long  for  death,  to  release  her,  from  the  shame,  and 
disgrace,  which  their  sins  have  brought  upon  her.  Mid- 
night, sometimes,  mantles  the  mother's  soul,  in  the  very 
noon-tide  of  life  ;  and  her,  long  cherished,  hopes  are, 
forever,  blighted  and  blasted,  because  of  the  fall  of  her 
first-born  son.  The  somber  scenes,  of  sorrow,  surround 
her,  on  every  side  ;  and  her  soul  refuses  to  be  com- 
forted, because  of  his  sinlul  life,  or  shameful  death. 

The  mother  gives  her  infant,  its  existence.  She  re- 
ceives it  to  her  beating  bosom,  when  it  enters  the 
world.  Her  affections  are,  at  once,  entwined  about  her 
darling  babe.  Under  her  gentle  influence  is  molded, 
its  personal  character.  She  superintends  the  develop- 
ment, of  its  young  life  ;  and  the  unfoldings  of  its  im- 
mortal mind.  The  consecrated  mother,  often,  does  the 
important  work,  of  her  life,  unseen,  and  unsung  by  the 
world,  save  in  the  nobility  of  her  sons,  and  the  superior- 


l82  THE   YOUNG    MOTHER. 

ity  of  her  daughters.  She  is  passed  by,  little  heeded, 
in  the  busy  marts  of  life  ;  but,  when  she  sleeps,  beneath 
the  sod  of  the  valley,  these  polished  shafts  will  rise  up, 
to  call  her  blessed ;  and,  then,  the  world  will  revere 
the  name,  and  honor  the  memory  of  the  good  mother. 

There  is  no  love  like  that  of  the  young  mother's,  who 
bows,  in  silent  sympathy,  over  the  suffering  form,  or 
bends,  in  joy  and  gladness,  over  the  sunny  face,  of  her 
first-born  babe.  The  soft  sunshine,  of  her  maternal 
love,  seems  to  foreshadow  the  silvery  stream  of  life, 
down  which  the  innocent  infant  shall  float,  to  the  shore- 
less ocean  of  endless  joys.  Such  a  mother's  fondest 
hopes,  often,  lie  cradled,  in  her  maternal  arms ;  and 
her  most  sacred  moments  are  spent,  in  its  behalf,  at 
the  foot  of  the  cross  of  Christ. 

The  young  mother,  watching  tenderly  over  her  dying 
child,  as  its  little  life  slowly,  but  surely  ebbs  away,  or 
plaintively  mourning,  over  the  new-made  grave  of  her 
first-born  babe,  is  one  of  the  saddest  scenes,  in  the  dark 
catalogue  of  human  woes.  The  silent  shades,  of  death, 
have  mantled  the  cherub  brow,  of  her  innocent  baby, 
and  the  young  mother  mourns,  with  streaming  eyes,  and 
a  bleeding  heart.  Her  sweetest  memories  were  her 
saddest  mementos,  of  her  darling  babe.  But,  she  will 
soon  realize,  that  she  is  but  the  richer,  in  hope,  for  hav- 
ing loved,  and  lost  an  offspring.  For,  God  will  answer 
her,  oft-repeated,  prayer;  though  it  be  in  a  way,  she 
did  not  anticipate. 

"  Oh  !  keep,  then,  my  darling,  sent  down  from  above, 
'Neath  the  arms  of  thy  mercy,  the  wings  of  thy  love  ; 
So  pure,  in  life,  so  meek,  and  so  mild  ; 
May  it  ever  be  thus,  with  my  beautiful  child." 


15 


THE   CHRISTIAN  MOTHER   TRAINING    HER  CHILD. 

(See  page  183.) 


CHRISTIAN    MOTHER-HOOD.  1 83 

The  Christian  mother,  begins,  early  in  life,  to  train 
her  children  for  heaven.  She  seeks,  earnestly,  a  heav- 
enly Father's  assistance.  She  spares  no  pains,  to  gain 
all  the  vantage  ground  possible,  while  their  hearts  are 
young  and  tender.  The  health,  and  happiness  of  her 
offspring  is  her  daily  care.  The  weal,  or  woe  of  their 
future  lives  bears,  heavily,  upon  her  loving  heart.  She 
teaches  them,  that  the  road,  leading  to  the  throne  of 
grace,  lies  open  to  all ;  and,  that  the  gate,  to  eternal 
life,  swings  wide  upon  its  golden  hinges,  at  the  slight- 
est touch  of  the  penitent's  hand. 

Christian  mother-hood  embodies  in  itself,  and  exerts, 
sooner  or  later,  even  upon  the  more  reckless  sons  and 
daughters,  a  salvable  influence.  The  wild,  wayward  boy 
wanders  far  out,  in  the  ways  of  a  wicked  world.  He, 
even,  learns  to  scoff  at  religion.  He  grows  hard,  and 
heavy  in  sin  :  but,  at  length,  sickness  overtakes  him,  and 
sorrow  comes  in  upon  him,  like  a  flood.  His  soul  is 
dark  and  desolate  :  then,  like  the  vision  of  an  angel,  the 
image  of  his  sainted  mother  stands  before  him.  Her 
soft  hand  is  laid,  "once  more,  in  love,  upon  his  fevered 
brow  ;  her  tender  voice  falls,  again,  upon  his  listening 
ears,  and  the  precious  memories,  of  yore,  bring  a  flood 
of  tears  to  his  weeping  eyes.  At  last,  a  mother's  pray- 
ers are  answered.  For,  her  lost  son  has  sought,  and 
found  pardon  from  his  mother's  God. 

But,  equally  powerful,  for  evil,  is  the  example,  and  in- 
fluence of  a  wicked,  worldly-minded  mother,  over  her 
tender,  confiding  offspring.  Such  mothers  lead  their 
children,  into  the  broad,  deep,  rushing  current  of  world- 
liness,  which  empties  into  the  bottomless  abyss  of  eter- 
nal woe.     There  are  many  cogent  reasons,  why  moth- 


184  MATERNAL    DUTIES. 

ers  should  all  be  Christians.  They  are  the  fountain- 
heads  of  the  households,  of  our  country.  They  ought 
to  be  exemplary,  and  Christ-like,  in  all  their  lives. 
Mothers  must  live  religious  lives  ;  if  they  would  go  to 
heaven,  and  take  .their  children  with  them.  Heaven 
pity  the  home,  with  a  Christless  mother !  It  is  a  lost 
paradise ;  or  an  earthly  pandemonium.  Mothers  do 
much  to  make,  or  mar  the  characters  of  their  children. 

The  true  mother  is  every  thing,  to  her  helpless,  little 
children.  She  shrinks  from  no  duty ;  is  equal  to  every 
emergency,  and  willingly  becomes  nurse,  doctress, 
teacher,  companion  and  guardian  to  her  tender  offspring. 
Most  mothers  are  faithful,  in  the  discharge  of  maternal 
duties,  along  these  lines  of  life.  In  fact,  many  of  them 
go  far  beyond  what  duty,  or  even  the  highest  interests 
of  their  children  demand ;  and  become  absolute  slaves, 
and  drudges  for  boys,  and  girls,  who  ought  to  be  light- 
ening their  heavy  burdens,  with  helpful  hands,  and 
cheering  their  aching  hearts,  with  welcome  words,  rather 
than  lounging  round  the  house,  or  loafing  on  the  streets. 
But,  mothers  are,  often  richly  rewarded,  for  all  their 
fidelity  and  watch-care.  For,  every  step  taken,  in  after- 
life, by  the  gallant  son,  or  queenly  daughter,  which  re- 
flects honor  upon  the  mother,  sends  a  thrill  of  joy, 
through  the  throbbing,  maternal  heart,  that  proves  a 
perfect  feast  to  her  soul.  It  is  a  right  royal  honor,  to 
be  the  noble  mother  of  an  illustrious  son,  or  a  fair,  far- 
famed  daughter.  Such  a  mother  may  well  be  proud  of 
her  offspring.  The  best  proofs,  of  her  own  royal  worth, 
are  most  readily  seen,  in  the  greatness,  and  grandeur 
of  her  honored  children. 

But  many  mothers   are   faithful,  in   the  discharge  of 


THE  BOY  WILL  BE  WHAT  HIS    MOTHER  MAKES  HIM. 
(See  page  185.) 


THE    CRADLE    ROCKERS.  1 85 

maternal  duties,  in  proportion  to  the  pleasure,  which 
they  derive  therefrom.  While  some  are,  wholly,  incom- 
petent, for  these  arduous  duties.  They  absent  them- 
selves, entirely  too  much,  from  the  home-circle.  They 
are  ignorant,  as  to  what  their  children  eat,  wear  and 
read,  as  well  as  to  character  of  company  they  keep. 
The  result,  often,  is  tainted  purity,  spoiled  manners  or 
polluted  souls  ;  and,  hence,  silly,  saucy  or  sensual  boys 
and  girls,  who  prove  a  nuisance  to  society,  or  a  curse  to 
the  world. 

The  history  of  the  world  proves,  that  the  bane,  or 
benediction  of  nations  rests,  largely,  in  the  hands  of  the 
mothers  of  their  rulers.  For,  her  wise,  and  good  kings, 
the  world  is  indebted  to  the  gfood,  and  wise  mothers  : 
but,  for  the  wicked,  and  wayward  rulers,  to  the  wayward, 
and  wicked  mothers,  who  gave  them  birth.  Then,  the 
mothers  of  the  land  have  much  to  do,  with  the  peace, 
and  prosperity  of  any  people.  The  cradle  rockers  have, 
ever,  been  rocking  the  world.  They  have  rocked  it  into 
many,  bloody,  revolutions ;  as  well  as  through  many, 
glorious,  reformations.  And,  they  will  continue  to  rock 
the  world,  for  weal  or  woe,  till  time  shall  be  no  more. 
They  ought  to  rock  it  in  hope.  They  ought  to  rock  it 
for  Jesus.  They  ought  to  rock  it,  roundly,  for  heaven. 
Mothers,  let  all  your  cradle  songs  be  but  the  sweetest 
lullabies  of  love,  and  life  to  the  world  ;  and  it  will  soon 
be  won  for  Christ.  The  mothers,  who  are  rocking  the 
future  rulers  of  the  world,  rock,  at  the  same  time,  the 
destiny  of  future  ages. 

Mothers  ought  to  be  wise,  and  well-informed  women. 
The  helpless,  and  dependent  state  of  their  children 
gives  them  grand   opportunities  to   mould   their  minds, 


1 86  MATERNAL    DISCRETION. 

and  shape  their  destinies  for  good,  if  they  are,  only, 
competent  to  the  task.  There  is  a  great  difference  in 
children.  One  child  is  naturally  timid,  and  should  be 
encouraged  to  greater  activity  and  assurance.  Another 
is  full  of  energy  ;  and  a  little  too  much  inclined  to  be 
forward;  and  needs  to  be  tamed  down,  and  taught  the 
importance  of  good  deportment.  One  requires  a  re- 
ward ;  the  other  demands  discipline.  The  rod  would  be 
ruinous,  in  one  case  ;  but  it  is  the,  only,  means  of  salva- 
tion, in  the  other.  Maternal  discretion  is,  absolutely, 
essential,  to  the  successful  government  of  children. 
Mothers  must  be  discreet ;  and  always  on  the  alert,  to 
know  just  how  to  control  their  households  well  and 
wisely.  They  must  be  well  abreast  with  the  times,  to 
meet  the  wants,  and  administer,  successfully,  the  laws  of 
maternal  love.  It  requires  tact  and  talent,  nerve  and 
energy,  to  properly  develop,  and  successfully  discipline 
the  opening  faculties,  of  a  growing  family  of  promising 
children. 

The  model  mother  is  a  crowned,  and  sceptered  queen. 
Her  reign  is  unrivalled.  Her  empire,  of  influence,  is 
eternal.  Her  presence  is  a  constant  inspiration,  to  her 
children,  while  she  lives ;  and  her  memory  is  most 
sacred,  when  the  beautiful  flowers  bloom,  above  her 
sleeping  dust.  Her  queenly  graces  are  reproduced,  in 
the  lovely  characters  of  her  cultured  daughters ;  and  the 
force,  and  fervor  of  her  life  finds  its  counterpart,  in  the 
famous  lives  of  her  kingly  sons.  Her  maternal  love  is 
a  magnetic  power,  which  always  attracts  her  child  home- 
ward and  heavenward.  Her  loving  smiles  are  the  sun- 
light,  of  its  existence.  She  may  die,  during  its  infancy  ; 
yet,  that  love  will  live,  and  charm  its  heart,  amid  all  the 


THE    MODEL    MOTHER.  I 87 

varied  scenes  of  a  long,  eventful  life.  The  child's  vision, 
of  mother,  let  it  be  in  fancy,  or  in  fact,  never  fades  from 
the  soul.  The  wayward  wanderer,  in  all  his  journeyings, 
never  passes  beyond  the  over-shadowing  arch,  of  such  a 
mother's  benign  influence.  Let  him  roam,  through  the 
waving  forests  of  the  western  wilds,  sit  down,  amid  the 
silent  glaciers  of  the  distant  north-land,  or  stand,  upon 
the  gentle  slopes  of  the  sunny  South,  yet,  ever  and 
anon,  thoughts,  of  a  mother's  love,  will  steal  softly  into 
his  soul ;  and,  in  the  reveries  of  memory,  he  lives,  over 
and  over  again,  the  happy  days  of  his  childhood-life. 
Now,  he  feels  the  warmth,  of  the  maternal  cheek, 
against  his  own  fair  brow.  A  mother's  fond  kiss  is  im- 
printed on  his  little,  rosy  lips.  The  tender  embraces,  of 
her  loving  arms,  draw  him  closer  to  her  beating  heart: 
and  all  the  hallowed  associations,  which  environed  child- 
hood's happiest  days,  seem  more  sacred  to  him  than 
ever  before.  But,  when  he  wakes  from  his  reveries,  to 
realize  that  he  has  been  dreaming  of  the  past,  the 
dearest  of  all,  to  his  aching  heart,  are  the  many  precious 
memories  of  a  model  mother's  life  and  love.  The  esti- 
mable character  of  this  model  mother,  as  a  rule,  per- 
petuates itself,  in  the  lives  of  her  offspring.  Her  gentle 
graces  live  in,  and  adorn  the  lives  of  her  devoted 
daughters,  long  after  her  consecrated  head  has  been 
pillowed,  in  the  dust  of  death. 

The  mother's  ministry  is  one  of  mercy.  It  should  be 
a  most  sacred  one.  She  should  shed  rays  of  light,  and 
love  all  around  her  hearth-stone.  Her  daily  ministra- 
tions should  be  so  many  blessings,  to  all  the  hearts  in 
her  happy  home.  Her  home  should,  ever,  be  a  house 
of  mercy.     And  realizing,  in  a  measure  at  least,  in  her 


1 88  FOND    MOTHERS. 

maternal  ministries,  the  merciful  ideal  of  mother-hood, 
she  will  certainly  reap  the  rich  harvest  of  her  fondest 
hopes. 

Fond  mothers  make  the  saddest  mistakes  of  their 
lives,  when  they  propose  to  sacrifice  everything,  for  the 
pleasure,  and  happiness  of  their  daughters.  They  are 
sure  to  rue  the  day,  when  they  took  upon  themselves  all 
the  hardships  of  domestic  life  ;  and  denied  themselves 
all  the  social,  intellectual  and  religious  privileges  af- 
forded them,  that  their  daughters  might  appear  to  better 
advantage,  in  the,  so  called,  higher  circles  of  society. 
Such  mothers  soon  become  servants,  if  not  slaves,  to 
silly,  selfish,  hateful  and  haughty  misses,  whose  lady- 
ships have  lost  all  love,  for  their  toil-worn,  and  self- 
sacrificing  mothers.  This  is  not  as  it  should  be.  The 
mother  should  remain  mistress,  of  her  own  house  and 
home.  She  should  retain  her  position,  as  the  lady  of 
the  household,  at  all  hazards ;  and  maintain  her  author- 
ity, with  becoming  dignity;  and  honor  to  the  last.  Then 
she  would  be  recognized  by  the  daughter,  in  her  true 
light.  She  would  doubtless  be  owned,  and  revered,  as 
her  guardian  angel,  not  merely  from  a  domestic  stand- 
point, but  more  especially,  in  the  social,  literary  and 
religious  circles  of  life.  This  would  be  far  better,  for 
the  mothers  ;  and  infinitely  better,  for  the  daughters  of 
our  land. 

There  is  nothing  comparable  to  a  true  mother's  love, 
for  a  prodigal  son,  or  a  disgraced  daughter,  except  our 
heavenly  Father's  love,  for  a  lost,  and  ruined  world. 
There  is,  in  this  type  of  maternal  love,  a  tenderness 
truly  pathetic ;  and  an  endurance,  that  transcends  all 
other  affections   of  the  human  heart.     Selfishness  can 


THE  CHARM  THAT  ENCHANTS.  1 89 

not  chill,  worthlessness  can  not  weaken,  neither  can  base 
ingratitude  stifle  the  affections  of  the,  ever  loving,  ma- 
ternal heart.  The  true  mother  will  surrender  every 
pleasure,  sacrifice  every  comfort,  endure  any  hardship 
and  share  the  deepest  disgrace,  if  need  be,  for  the  sake 
of  her  dishonored  son,  or  degraded  daughter.  The 
father  may  disown,  brothers  and  sisters  may  desert  the 
disgraced  one,  but  the  mother's  love  lives  on,  and  lives 
ever,  hoping  that  her  lost  child  will  yet  be  reclaimed 
and  saved.  She  remembers  the  sweet  innocent  smiles 
of  infancy,  the  merry  chants  of  childhood  and  the  open- 
ing promises  of  youth  ;  and  it  is  impossible  to  convince 
her,  that  her  boy,  or  girl  is  wholly  unworthy  of  her 
maternal  love  and  solicitude. 

None  but  a  mother's  heart  can  sympathize  with  a 
wayward,  wandering  boy :  and  none  like  a  mother's  love 
can  lead,  or  lure  him  back  again,  to  the  paths  of  peace 
and  safety.  The  devoted  mother  holds,  in  her  gentle 
hand,  the  mystic  key,  that  unlocks  the  prodigal's  hard, 
and  stony  heart.  She  carries,  in  her  bosom,  the  charm, 
that  enchants  his  seditious  soul.  She  embodies,  in  her 
life  of  love,  the  sequel  of  a  better  day,  and  a  brighter 
destiny,  for  her  subdued  son,  than  any  one  else  ever  an- 
ticipated. None,  except  orphans,  know  the  loss  of 
maternal  affection.  They  live,  to  long  for  the  love  of  a 
sacred,  sanctified,  celestial  mother-hood. 

The  devoted  mother's  love  is  majestic.  It  is  sublimely 
beautiful.  It  is  heroically  powerful.  It  never  cowers, 
nor  wavers  before  any  foe  ;  but  grows  stronger,  where 
man's  love  falters  and  fails  ;  and  overall  the  wastes,  and 
wants  of  worldly  fortunes,  or  misfortunes  shines  on,  like 
a  radiant  star  from  heaven.     Such  maternal  love  has 


I9O  THE    DEAR,    DEVOTED    MOTHER. 

saved  many  a  sinful  son,  from  sin's  deepest,  and  darkest 
stains.  Oh,  how  earnestly  such  a  mother  longs,  and 
labors  for  the  rescue,  of  her  prodigal  boy !  Mighty 
motives  move  the  mother's  heart,  for  her  long  lost  son. 
She  yearns  for  his  return.  She  besieges  a  throne  of 
grace,  in  his  behalf.  Such  a  mother  wields  a  wonderful 
influence,  over  such  a  son.  His  sober,  good  sense  forces 
him  to  yield  obedience,  to  her  maternal  prowess  ;  and 
her  unfaltering  faith  binds  him,  firmly  at  length,  to  the 
risen  Christ  of  all  her  hopes.  The  love,  we  should  bear 
such  a  mother,  should  not  be  measured  by  the  flight  of 
time,  annihilated  by  distance,  nor  lost,  when  she  sleeps 
in  the  dusty  bed  of  death.  These  sacred  fires,  of  filial 
affection,  should  burn  on,  and  burn  forever. 

The  dear,  devoted  mother  is  a  queen,  who  will  reign, 
over  the  hearts  of  her  obedient  children,  for  evermore. 
And,  he  is  but  a  child  again,  though  time  has  furrowed 
his  cheek  and  silvered  his  hair,  who  recalls,  with  soft- 
ened heart  and  subdued  spirit,  the  gentle  chidings  and 
cherished  devotions,  of  a  mother's  consecrated  love.  It 
is  the  mother's  province  to  develop  the  mind,  and  direct 
the  thoughts  of  her  child,  in  all  that  is  truly  beautiful 
and  good.  It  is  her's  to  impart  the  first  little  lessons  of 
life,  to  teach  industry,  honesty  and  virtue  ;  and  to  instill, 
into  its  young  life,  all  the  graces  necessary  to  the  round- 
ing out  of  a  grand,  symmetrical  character. 

The  consecrated  mother,  often,  loses  sight  of  herself, 
in  the  love  she  bears  her  offspring.  She  waits  and 
worships,  at  the  shrine  of  maternal  devotion.  Around 
love's  altar,  she  breathes  the  purest,  and  most  fervent 
prayers  of  her  life.  At  this  consecrated  shrine,  she 
gains  renewed  strength  of  body  and  spirit,  whichenables 


THE  CONSECRATED  MOTHER.  I9I 

her,  the  more  successfully,  to  prosecute  her  maternal 
mission  of  love  and  mercy.  And  on  love's  altar,  at 
last,  she  lays  her  life,  a  willing  sacrifice  to  the  best  in- 
terests of  the  souls,  and  bodies  of  her  much  loved  sons 
and  daughters. 

Mothers  are  the  first  tutors  of  their  offspring.  They 
shed,  upon  their  opening  minds,  the  first  rays  of  mental 
light.  They  teach  them  the  earliest  lessons,  they  learn 
in  life.  To  be  a  successful  instructor,  the  mother  must 
live  the  lessons,  she  would  have  her  children  learn  from 
her  lips.  She  must  offer,  in  example,  what  she  would 
urge  by  precept.  The  sunlight  of  heaven  will  reveal 
the  sacred  imprints,  of  such  a  mother's  lessons,  upon 
the  lives,  and  destinies  of  her  children.  It  is  the 
mother's  exhalted  privilege,  to  instill,  into  the  young, 
and  tender  hearts  of  her  children,  lessons  of  life,  which 
time  itself  can  not  eradicate — lessons,  which  will  lead 
her  daughters  up  to  woman-hood,  as  bright  ornaments  in 
society ;  and  her  sons  up  to  manhood,  as  models  of 
moral  worth,  and  positive  powers  for  good  in  the  world. 

The  culture  of  their  children  is  in  the  hands  of 
mothers.  That  their  task  be  well,  and  faithfully  per- 
formed, they  must  possess  a  good  degree  of  intelligence 
and  refinement.  They  should  be  well  posted,  and  apt 
to  communicate.  The  finished  characters  of  their  chil- 
dren depend,  largely,  upon  the  manner  in  which  their 
minds,  and  hearts  are  cultured,  while  wholly  under  ma- 
ternal management.  This  culture  must  be  comprehen- 
sive, to  prove  efficient.  A  well  cultured  mind,  suppli- 
mented  by  a  massive  moral  character,  would  make  but  a 
poor  impression  upon  the  world,  if  imprisoned  in  the 
weakness  of  a  worthless  body.    Physical  strength  is  just 


192  PERNICIOUS    LITERATURE. 

as  essential,  in  the  battle  of  life,  as   either   mental,  or 
moral  power.     And,  with  all  these  powers  well  devel- 
oped, a  man  is  a  mere  pigmy,  without  spiritual  culture. 
Mothers,  select,  carefully,  the  literature  your  children 
handle.     Every  thing  they  read  will  make  impressions, 
either  for  good  or  evil,  upon  their  young  minds.     Some 
thoughts  will  enter  their  very  souls,  to   give   shade,  or 
sunshine  to  their  entire  lives,  and   help  to   shape   their 
future  destinies.     Good  thoughts  will  flow  in  upon  them 
like   a   sacred   influence,  purifying  their  young  hearts  ; 
while   evil    thoughts    will   troop    in    upon   them,   like  a 
withering  simoon,  to  blight,  and  blast  all  their  hopes  of 
happiness  and  heaven.      Thousands  of  boys,  and  girls 
are  growing  up,  to-day,  into  mercenary  manhood,  and 
worthless  woman-hood,  the  poisoned  victims  of  perni- 
cious literature.     A  single  sentence  may  switch  the  soul 
off  of  the  right  track.     A  motto  may  mould  a  life,  for 
weal  or  woe.     Proverbs  may  prove  more  powerful  than 
potentates.      And   maxims  may   become   mightier  than 
monarchs.     But,   in  the   better   literature  of  to-day,  we 
have    the    golden    thoughts    of    the    wisest,  and    best 
thinkers  of  all  ages,  borne  to  us  in  their  most  attractive 
forms.     Let  the  mothers  cull  these  life-gems,  from  the 
great  storehouse   of  thought,   for  the    perusal   of  their 
sons  and  daughters. 

Mothers  are  character-builders.  This  is  a  fact  of  fear- 
ful, and  fathomless  import.  You  are  constantly  forming 
characters,  for  time  and  eternity.  It  is  your  privilege, 
to  chisel  forms  of  grace  and  beauty,  out  of  the  material, 
which  God  has  furnished  you.  Remember,  the  child's 
character  seldom  rises  above  that  of  its  mother's.  This 
is  very  natural.      Hers  is  the  fountain-head;  and  its  is 


JOYS    AND    SORROWS.  1 93 

the  teeming  rill.  The  mother,  in  her  own  life,  is  ex- 
pected to  outline  her  child's  character,  while  its  soul  is 
soft,  and  impressions  are  easily  made,  upon  it  for  good. 
She  should  be  very  careful,  then,  to  use  most  skillfully, 
at  this  period,  the  pencil  of  personal  influence,  in  filling 
up  its  life-chart,  with  all  the  essential  elements  of  a 
noble,  and  generous  character. 

Mothers  have  their  joys  and  sorrows.  The  sunshine, 
and  shadows  of  life  fall,  overlapping  each  other,  across 
their  checkered  pathways.  They,  often,  weep  for  joy  ; 
and,  sometimes,  rejoice  in  the  scenes  of  their  deepest 
grief.  But,  maternal  joys  are  largely  secret,  simply 
because  they  can  not  be  expressed.  Words  fail,  to 
paint  the  pictures  perfectly.  In  fact,  they  give  but  dim 
outlines  of  the  realities.  The  joys,  far,  exceed  the 
means  of  communication.  Like  the  joys  of  religion, 
they  can  not  be  told;  but  are  only  the  sweeter,  and 
better  felt.  Many  of  the  mother's  griefs  are,  also,  sa- 
cred. She  keeps  them  locked  up,  securely,  in  her  own 
bosom.  Her  sorrows  are,  sometimes,  mingled  with  the 
shame  of  a  son,  or  the  disgrace  of  a  daughter;  and 
she  can  not  tell  it.  She  will  not  unbosom  the  burden 
of  her  beating,  throbbing  heart,  to  the  gaze  of  a  wicked 
world,  when  it  would  bring  to  light  the  character,  and 
conduct  of  her  dishonored  offspring. 

The  crushed,  and  bleeding  heart,  of  a  dishonored 
mother,  must  be  the  heaviest,  and  hardest  of  all  burdens 
to  bear.  This  seems  to  be  the  darkest  cloud,  that  ever 
overshadows  a  mother's  fair  brow,  or  mantles  her  ma- 
ternal soul,  with  the  ebon  hues  of  an  endless  night. 
Such  a  season  of  sorrow,  sometimes,  shuts  the  sunshine 
of  hope  out,  of  the  mother's  heart,  forever. 


194  THE    HOME    CIRCLE. 

But,  sorrow,  borne  in  patience,  subsoils  the  soul ;  and 
brings  to  light  its  richest,  and  rarest  blessings  for  hu- 
manity. The  better  manifestations  of  the  soul  spring, 
largely,  from  soil  mellowed,  and  cultured  by  the  plow- 
share of  grief.  Most  of  our  historic  heroes  have  been, 
but,  the  outgrowth  of  suffering.  Even,  our  Saviour,  the 
Man  of  Sorrows,  was  made  perfect  through  sufferings. 
The  very  life,  and  inspiration  of  our  American  literature 
are  the  legitimate  offsprings  of  soul  sorrow.  We  should 
not  be  too  ready,  then,  to  hang  our  harps  upon  the 
weeping  willows.  And,  we  should  wait  until  we  get  into 
a  strange  land,  before  we  refuse  to  sing  the  cheerful, 
soul-stirring  songs  of  our  beloved  Zion. 

The  home,  over  which  a  loving  mother  presides, 
ought  to  be  the  happiest  place,  on  earth,  to  all  her  fam- 
ily. It  should  be  the  center  of  attraction,  to  all  its  in- 
mates. Purest  affections  ought  to  reign  supreme,  in 
such  a  home  circle,  making  the  family  associations  the 
most  delightful  this  side  of  Paradise.  Yea !  such  a 
home  is  the  center  of  domestic  felicity.  It  is  the  true 
source  of  earthly  pleasure — the  fountain-head  of  a  moth- 
er's purest,  deepest,  and  strongest  tides  of  joy.  Let 
each  member,  of  the  family  circle,  be  greeted,  oft,  with 
expressions  of  tenderest  affection.  Let  none  be  stran- 
gers, to  the  sweetness  of  words  of  endearment  and  love. 
Let  the  home  be  dedicated  to  truth  and  love.  Let  its 
inmates  be  perfectly  devoted,  to  all  that  is  pure  in 
thought,  tender  in  feeling,  kind  in  word  and  generous, 
and  noble  in  action.  And  children,  blessed  with  such 
a  home,  when  they  grow  up,  will  leave  the  parental 
roof,  with  deepest  regrets,  to  return,  often,  in  after 
years,  as  pilgrims  to  their  holiest  shrine. 


NEW    LOVES    AND    LABORS.  1 95 

But  no  one,  save  a  mother,  knows  just  what  it  costs 
to  see  her  sons,  and  daughters  marry  off,  and  leave  the 
old  homestead.  For  she,  only,  must  constantly  look 
upon  the  vacant  seats,  made  so  by  the  long  absence 
of  her  loved  ones.  To  her  heart,  alone,  it  is  the  next 
thing  to  a  final  separation  on  earth.  Then,  children, 
when  you  leave  the  parental  home,  for  one  of  your  own, 
do  not  let  new  loves,  and  labors  wean  you  off,  too  sud- 
denly, from  parental  hearts,  which  will  feel  so  keenly 
your  absence,  and,  even,  more  keenly,  it  may  be,  your 
long  silence.  Remember,  they  have  no  new  objects  of 
love,  like  yourselves,  to  take  the  place  of  the  old  ones ; 
but  still  look,  and  long  for  the  lost  love,  of  their  absent 
boys  and  girls.  If  near,  visit  them  often.  If  distant, 
write  to  them  frequently.  They  will  always  enjoy  your 
visits,  be  they  ever  so  short;  and,  they  will  ever  appre- 
ciate your  kind  letters,  if  they  but  contain  the  welcome 
salutation,  "Dear  Parents ;"  give  the  health  of  the  fam- 
ily, and  close,  with  the  sweet  assurance  of  your  filial 
affection.  But,  these  little  manifestations  of  love,  on 
your  part,  will  not  only  gladden  parental  hearts,  by  fur- 
nishing food  for  parental  souls,  while  father,  and  mother 
linger  in  the  old  homestead  ;  but,  by  and  by,  the  sacred 
memories,  of  such  devotion,  will  water  your  own  hearts, 
and  sweeten  your  own  lives,  when  pilgrimages  to  the 
parental  home  shall  have  ceased  ;  and  you  journey  on 
through  life,  with  but  the  fond  recollections  of  mater- 
nal love  and  paternal  care,  all  repaid,  by  your  acts  of 
filial  devotion,  while  they  lived. 

The  fond  mother   is   the  light,  of  every   truly  happy 

home.     Without  her  presence  and  love,  there  can  be  no 

real   home,   for  the   child's    heart.     She   is  the   home's 
16 


I96  THE  ROYAL  REGULATOR. 

central  figure — its  mainspring  of  action — the  royal  reg- 
ulator, around  which  all  its  wheels  of  love  revolve,  in 
happy  harmony,  day  and  night,  year  after  year.  Every 
well  regulated  maternal  home  is  a  moral  vineyard — a 
garden  of  virtue — a  religious  nursery  ;  where  the  faithful 
mother  prunes  off  the  errors,  weeds  out  the  vices  and 
nourishes,  and  cherishes  each  and  every  vine,  and  flower 
of  her  own  maternal  planting.  She  recognizes  the  fact, 
that  immortal  souls  have  been  entrusted  to  her  care  for 
keeping  and  culture.  She  knows,  that,  in  the  persons 
of  her  offspring,  private  worth,  and  public  influence 
should  go  forth,  from  her  sacred  home,  to  assist  in 
blessing,  and  saving  the  world.  Around  the  sacred 
altar,  of  such  a  home  as  this,  cling  many  of  the  sweet- 
est, and  dearest  memories  of  childhood-life. 

A  truly  happy  home  is  a  little  heaven  on  earth.  It  is 
an  empire  of  love  ;  and  the  devoted  mother  is  its  royal 
queen.  It  is  her  province  to  make  home-life  so  happy, 
and  harmonious,  that  her  children  will  not  think  of  seek- 
ing enjoyment  elsewhere.  She  knows,  exactly,  how  to 
treat,  and  train  them  so  that  the  most  trivial  events,  in 
home-life,  will  contribute  to  their  health  and  happiness. 
Her  heart  of  love  is  a  great  storehouse,  to  which  help- 
less infancy,  and  happy  childhood  learn  to  look  for  every 
needed  blessing  of  life.  Oh !  what  is  a  home,  without 
a  mother? 

The  harmonies  of  home-life  are,  largely,  in  the 
mother's  hands.  The  happiness,  of  the  entire  family, 
depends,  mainly,  upon  her  character  and  conduct.  The 
mother  can  leave  no  richer  legacy,  to  the  lambs  of  her 
fold,  than  the  ever  fragrant,  and  life-long  memories  of  a 
happy,  and  harmonious  childhood,  spent  under  the  over- 


AN    IDEAL    HOME.  1 97 

shadowing  wings  of  maternal  love.  The  sweet,  and 
sacred  memories,  of  such  home-life  harmonies,  touch,  in 
after-life,  every  vibrating  chord  of  the  human  heart,  as 
with  the  soft,  and  silent  fingers  of  an  angel  from  heaven. 
And  naught  but  death  can  break  the  magic  spell  of  the 
soul,  saved  by  its  sanctified  influences. 

In  an  ideal  home,  maternal  love  must  be  the  chief 
dictator.  In  fact,  all  hearts  must  be  brim  full  of  love; 
and  all  lives  overflowing  with  smiles  of  joy  and  glad- 
ness. Kindest  words,  like  loveliest  flowers,  full  of 
freshness  and  fragrance,  must  fall  from  loving  lips,  to 
make  glad  hearts  and  happy  homes.  But,  best  of  all, 
these  hallowed  home-influences  perpetuate  themselves, 
from  generation  to  generation.  The  sweet  spirit,  and 
gentle  graces  of  the  model  mother,  often,  live  again,  to 
bless  other  ideal  homes,  in  the  lives  of  her  devoted 
daughters,  long  after  her  life-work  has  ended.  Yes, 
clouds  of  sorrow  finally  over-hang  the  happiest  homes  ; 
and  the  sunshine  of  maternal  love  is,  at  last,  shut  out  of 
the  happiest  hearts  ;  for  our  mothers  can  not  stay  with 
us  always.  They  have  a  happier  home  in  the  skies, 
where  sorrows  never  come. 

It  is  the  prerogative  of  mothers,  to  govern  their  chil- 
dren, especially,  while  they  are  young.  They  can  not 
afford  to  fail,  to  exercise  proper  control  over  them,  while 
under  their  care.  To  do  so  is  to  bring  constant  annoy- 
ance to  the  maternal  heart ;  and  also  to  ruin  the  child, 
perchance  for  life.  Children  should  never  be  governed 
by  fear,  or  force  alone.  These  should  always  be 
seasoned  with  sympathy  and  love.  If  mothers  would 
have  their  children  honor  them,  when  they  are  grown, 
they   must   make    them    respect   them,    while    they   are 


I98  THE    CHILD'S    AFFECTION. 

young.  Make  your  children  obey  you.  Disobedience 
tends  to  dishonor,  on  the  one  hand,  and  to  disgrace,  on 
the  other.  Their  own  good,  and  your  happiness  de- 
mand   filial  obedience. 

The  child's  affections  should  beelectrified — sur-charged 
— with  the  sweetest  spirit  of  filial  tenderness  and  obedi- 
ence. The  purest  love,  and  the  deepest  reverence,  for 
the  mother,  should  pervade  the  whole  heart,  and  pene- 
trate the  entire  being,  of  those  for  whom  she  lives  and 
labors.  Each  hour  should  bring,  to  the  mother's  anxious, 
aching  heart,  some  rich  token  of  gratitude,  from  those 
to  whom  she  gives  her  life  and  her  love.  Every  patient 
watch-care,  every  heaving  sigh,  every  longing  solicitude, 
born  of  maternal  anxiety,  should  meet  the  most  cordial 
response  in  the  hearts  of  all  obedient  and  loving  chil- 
dren. The  mother's  matchless,  and  undying  love  should 
be  repaid,  in  every  possible  way,  by  an  affectionate,  and 
faithful  offspring.  For  the  saddest,  and  sorest  trials  of 
life  are  those,  which  assail  the  maternal  heart ;  and 
leave  it  pierced  and  bleeding,  by  the  arrows  of  filial 
ingratitude. 

There  is  a  tender  chord  of  love  existing,  between  the 
fond  mother  and  affectionate  daughter,  that  naught,  but 
death,  can  ever  sever.  Their  loving  hearts,  always,  beat 
in  unison  with  each  other.  They  are  contented ;  they 
are  more  ;  they  are  happy  in  each  others  society.  This 
devoted  daughter  is  the  pride  of  the  family.  She  is  re- 
garded, as  a  sort  of  priveleged  character.  Yet,  much 
is  expected  of  her,  in  the  daily  rounds  of  domestic  life. 
She  is  to  second  her  mother,  at  least,  as  house-keeper; 
and  act  as  hostess,  ordinarily,  for  the  entire  household. 
These  facts  should  secure,  for  her,  a  liberal  education, 


THE  MOTHER  AND  DAUGHTER.  1 99 

with  plenty  of  good  books,  and  other  means,  of  making 
herself  entertaining  and  attractive. 

Mothers,  rear  your  daughters,  first,  with  reference  to 
the  practical  duties  of  life.  Train  them,  with  some 
great,  and  good  end  in  view.  Teach  them  to  live,  for  a 
great  mission,  and  a  grand  destiny ;  and  the  world  will 
be  richer,  in  all  that  embellishes  chaste  society,  and  en- 
nobles Christian  civilization,  because  of  their  lovely 
lives.  Remember,  culture  is  manifold,  in  its  parts  and 
powers.  ^Esthetic,  social,  mental,  moral  and  spiritual 
culture  are  all  potential  ;  and  are  very  important  factors, 
in  every  well  developed  character.  A  highly  cultured 
character,  always,  gives  a  woman  position,  and  power  in 
the  world. 

Mothers,  your  daughters  will,  likely,  love  to  talk.  Do 
not  worry  over  this  very  natural  proclivity.  They, 
doubtless,  came  by  it  honestly.  Just  teach  them  how  to 
talk,  and  what  to  talk  about ;  and  let  them  talk,  as  long 
as  they  enjoy  it.  It  is  perfectly  charming,  to  listen  to  a 
little  miss  converse,  if  her  conversational  powers  show 
signs  of  cultured  development.  We  seldom,  if  ever, 
tire  of  such  music,  as  the  sweet  intonations  of  her  soft, 
silvery  voice  mingle  with  the  pure,  and  lofty  sentiments 
of  her  serene,  but  sensitive  soul. 

Mothers,  do  not  put  your  daughters  on  the  market, 
before  they  are  fully  grown.  Do  not  allow  them,  to 
make  haste  to  be  women.  Give  the  rose-bud  plenty  of 
time  to  bloom,  if  you  would  enjoy  its  richest  fragrance. 
Wait  for  the  full  development,  of  the  first  elements  of 
woman-hood,  if  you  would  see  your  daughters  honored 
among  women.  Remember,  that  an  energetic,  thorough- 
going girl  is  of  priceless  value,  in  any  home :  but,  that 


200  CALMLY    AND    COOLLY. 

a  little,  would-be,  woman  is  a  worthless  creature,  any 
and  every  where  you  find  her. 

Mothers,  anticipate  the  fact,  that  your  children  will 
likely  want  to  get  married,  by  and  by :  and,  when  the 
time  comes,  meet  the  emergency  calmly  and  coolly.  Do 
not  object,  seriously,  to  the  choice  your  son  has  made, 
after  it  is  too  late  to  change  his  mind.  If  matters  are 
bad,  policy  would  dictate,  that  you  make  the  best  of  it. 
But,  it  may  prove  better  than  you  imagine.  Again, 
never  force  your  daughter  to  run  off,  with  a  man  to 
whose  attentions  you,  at  first,  made  no  serious  objec- 
tions. These  midnight  marriages  are  very  unfortunate 
affairs,  any  way.  They  cast  cruel  reflections,  on  one 
party  ;  and  throw  dark  shadows,  over  the  other.  They 
frequently  alienate  the  two  families,  and  keep  up  a  con- 
stant unpleasantness,  sometimes,  for  years.  Never  ob- 
ject, when  your  child  is  of  a  marriageable  age,  and,  in 
the  estimation  of  others,  is  getting  his,  or  her  equal. 

Mothers,  allow  me  to  make  a  few  helpful  suggestions, 
for  your  consideration.  Do  not  go  slip-shod,  or  shabby 
before  your  daughters,  if  you  would  have  them  appear 
neat,  and  tidy  in  society.  Let  your  heart  meet  the 
hearts  of  your  children  ;  and  let  your  tears  mingle  with 
their  tears ;  and  let  your  joys  flow  into  their  joys ;  and 
let  your  prayers  blend  with  their  prayers,  if  you  would 
keep  them  in  the  paths  of  peace,  which  lead  to  happi- 
ness and  to  heaven.  See  that  your  children  keep  good 
company,  or  none  at  all,  if  you  have  any  concern  for 
their  manners  or  morals.  Control  your  temper,  in  the 
presence  of  your  children,  as  you  do,  when  company  is 
present.  The  anger  of  a  high-tempered,  contentious 
mother,  when  not   controlled,  kindles,   and   cracks  like 


mmm 

MOTHER  IS  DYING. 
(See  page  201.) 


THE    RICHEST    LEGACY.  201 

flax  in  the  flame,  without  cause  or  provocation.  Be 
sweet,  and  amiable,  always,  in  your  dispositions.  A 
lovely  spirit  is  more  valuable  to  a  mother,  than  much 
fine  gold.  It  begets  a  similar  spirit,  in  her  offspring,  and 
brings  happiness  to  the  whole  family. 

But,  mothers  sometimes  die,  then,  sorrow  fills  sad 
hearts  and  silent  homes.  It  is,  then,  that  the  dark  wings 
of  the  death-angel  are  tinged,  with  the  ebon  hues  of  the 
most  sable  night.  It  is  when  mother  lies  lifeless,  in 
her  new-made  grave,  that  the  somber  curtains,  of 
death's  dark  folds,  are  most  impenetrable.  My  moth- 
er's voice  was  silenced  in  death.  The  grave  hid  her 
lovely  form  from  my  view ;  and  left  me,  an  orphan 
boy,  with  only  the  sacred  memories,  of  a  sainted  mother, 
to  inspire  me  for  good,  and  restrain  me  from  evil. 
Blessed  memories !  They  have  often  warmed  my  heart, 
and  waxed  my  hopes,  amidst  the  stern,  and  stormy  con- 
flicts of  life.  Thank  God,  good  mothers  are  special 
blessings,  living  or  dead.  In  fact,  they,  sometimes,  prove 
to  be  greater  blessings,  after  death,  than  while  living. 
Prodigal  sons,  and  wayward  daughters,  often,  resist  the 
strongest  appeals  of  maternal  solicitude  and  love  ;  but 
yield,  most  readily,  to  the  silent  solicitations  of  the 
sainted  dead.  The  heritage  of  love,  that  such  a  mother 
bequeathes,  at  death,  to  her  sinful  son,  or  depraved 
daughter,  often  proves  to  be  the  richest  legacy,  of  all 
their  after-life. 

Simple,  sacred,  sainted,  sublime,  immortal  mother- 
hood ;  let  us  cherish  its  hallowed  memories,  cling  to  its 
priceless  legacy,  and  bow,  humbly,  before  its  sacred 
shrine,  with  fondest  filial  affections,  for  evermore.  And, 
where  memory  is  silent,  let  fancy  enshrine  the  images 


202 


FAREWELL,    MOTHERS. 


of  our  sainted  mothers,  with  all  the  charming  graces, 
virtues  and  perfections,  of  maternal  love,  which  ever  clus- 
tered around  the  sacred  altar,  upon  which  consecrated 
mother-hood  has  offered  her  sacrifices,  and  peace  offer- 
ings for  centuries  past.  Farewell,  mothers  !  but  not  for- 
ever :  we  will  meet  in  heaven. 


FATHERHOOD. 
(See  aho  page  31.) 


FATHER-HOOD. 


Chapter  VIII. 


The  fond  father  is  happy— the  first-born  is  a  boy. 
If  the  next  is  a  girl,  he'll  be  shouting  for  joy. 


W*  -f^ 


^  ATHER-HOOD  is  life,  in  a  new 
relation — in  a  changed  state.  It 
is  life,  looking  upon  its  own  off- 
spring— its  own  reproduction.  It 
is  life,  filled  with  joy,  and  thrilled 
with  hope.  It  is  life,  in  the  midst 
of  anxiety  and  care.  It  is  life, 
surrounded  by  great  possibilities; 
and  burdened  with  grave  respon- 
sibilities. 
Father-hood,  gradually  and  greatly,  increases  the  bur- 
dens, and  responsibilities  of  life.  But,  when  these  re- 
sponsibilities are  met,  and  these  burdens  borne,  with 
paternal  affection  and  fatherly  fortitude,  they  always 
bring  an  increase,  of  domestic  joy  and  conjugal  love,  to 
the  fond  father's  affectionate  heart. 

Fathers,  love  your  children.      Paternal  love  gives  no 
license,  to  lawlessness.      It  rather  moves  the  heart,  of 

the  governed  toward  the   governing   power.      It  is  the 

(203) 


204  PATERNAL,  AND    FILIAL    AFFECTION. 

oil,  that  lubricates  all  the  machinery,  of  family  govern- 
ment; and  makes  it  run,  smoothly,  without  frustration 
or  friction.  It  is  not  logic,  nor  learning,  but  love,  that 
moves  the  world.  Love,  like  light,  emanates  from  one 
source.  It  is  a  unit,  in  its  nature;  and  a  power,  in  its 
operations.  Our  holy  religion,  in  its  essence,  and  influ- 
ence; in  its  effluence,  and  effects  is  the  very  embodi- 
ment of  love  to  God,  and  love  to  man.  Parental  love 
forges  no  fetters ;  burdens  no  hearts,  and  sinks  no 
souls  ;  but  lifts  many  a  lad,  from  a  lowly  position  in  life, 
to  a  seat  of  usefulness,  and  honor  in  the  world. 

If  fathers  are  paternal,  in  their  feelings,  their  children 
will  love  them,  at  a  very  early  age,  with  a  peculiar,  filial 
affection.  There  seems  to  be  in  the  child  an  inherent 
love,  and  loyalty  to  the  father.  Its  puny  arms  are  ever 
ready,  to  fight  his  battles.  Its  little  tongue,  will,  always, 
defend  his  good  name.  He  has  a  seat,  along  by  the 
side  of  mother,  in  its  affections.  The  little  child  loves 
its  father.  And,  so  the  fond  father  loves  his  young,  and 
tender  offspring.  He  feels  a  deep,  and  an  abiding  in- 
terest, in  their  well-being  and  happiness.  He  looks  on 
his  little  ones  in  love ;  and  his  heart  beats  high  with 
hope. 

Most  fathers  love  their  children ;  but,  some  of  them, 
fail  to  give  expression  to  their  affections.  The  little 
fellows  are,  too  often,  left  with  a  forlorn  feeling,  which 
will  question  the  paternal  love,  that  refuses  to  give  ex- 
pression, to  its  own  existence.  If  fathers  would  have 
their  children  feel  that  filial  love  for  them,  which  se- 
cures prompt,  and  cheerful  obedience,  coupled  with  un- 
selfish devotion,  they  must,  first,  love  their  children  ;  and 
manifest  it,  in  a  way  that  they  will  feel  the  warmth,  of 


FEAR  AND    FORCE.  20$ 

their  affections,  drawing  them,  powerfully,  toward  the 
paternal  heart. 

But,  the  fondest  father  does  not,  always,  love  the 
most :  neither  does  the  doting  father,  always,  gain  the 
strongest,  and  most  lasting  devotion,  of  his  children. 
Nor  does  paternal  severity,  always,  secure  successful  fam- 
ily government.  Parental  authority  must  be  tempered, 
with  parental  affection  ;  the  reins  of  discipline  must  be 
held,  by  the  hale,  but  harmless  hands,  of  a  loving  father ; 
and  the  correcting  rod  must  be  laid  on  the  lad,  in  love, 
if  we  rule  our  children  in  righteousness. 

Fathers  must  learn,  that  fear,  and  force  are  not  the 
sole,  or  most  successful  agencies,  in  parental  govern- 
ment. The  child's  will  needs  to  be  subdued,  controlled 
and  properly  directed,  by  its  divinely  appointed  guar- 
dians. But,  it  should  never  be  broken,  by  the  brutal 
treatment,  and  tyranny  of  a  fiendish  father.  The  child's 
will  is  expressive  of  its  final  worth.  This  forms  the 
foundation,  of  its  future  character.  If  it  associates  duty 
and  obedience,  with  fear  and  force,  alone,  its  character 
will  be  correspondingly  base  and  vile.  But  if,  with  these, 
it  links  parental  love  and  filial  liberty,  its  character  will 
just  as  necessarily  rise,  in  point  of  purity  and  refine- 
ment. 

Fathers,  encourage  your  children,  often,  by  words  of 
approval,  when  they  do  well.  They  will  appreciate  it, 
very  much  ;  and  it  will  stimulate  them  to  do  still  better, 
in  the  future.  A  love  of  approbation,  in  children,  is 
highly  commendable.  It  is  among  the  strongest,  and 
purest  of  human  passions.  It  furnishes  a  powerful  in- 
centive to  right-living,  while   one  is    young ;    and,    fre- 


206  THE    IDEAL  FATHER, 

quently  holds   in   check,  for  a  life-time,  the  lower  and 
baser  passions  of  humanity. 

Fathers  are  the  models,  after  which  sons  are  inclined 
to  pattern  their  lives.  They  think,  over,  the  father's 
thoughts.  They  speak,  again,  the  father's  words.  They 
perform,  once  more,  the  father's  acts.  They  live,  a  sec- 
ond time,  their  father's  life.  They  are,  simply,  the  re- 
production of  the  father.  Hence,  it  becomes  the  father, 
to  be  on  his  guard,  at  all  times  ;  and  to  set  worthy  ex- 
amples, for  his  sons]  If  he  is  neat,  they  will,  in  all  prob- 
ability, be  neater.  But,  if  he  goes  unkempt,  and  un- 
shaven before  them,  they  will  take  but  little,  if  any 
interest,  in  their  personal  appearance.  Paternal  honor 
serves  as  an  alarm  bell,  for  the  boy,  in  times  of  tempta- 
tion. The  father's  kindly  feelings,  and  manly  bearings, 
often,  find  their  echo,  in  the  courtesy,  and  nobility  of  the 
son,  who  wears  his  mantle,  and  honors  his  name,  long 
after  he  has  closed  his  earthly  career. 

From  the  ideal  father  flows  forth,  the  benign  influence 
of  a  great,  warm,  charitable  heart.  These  sacred  influ- 
ences are  the  natural  offsprings  of  a  paternal  love,  which 
must  manifest  itself,  in  the  tenderest  acts  of  kindness 
and  compassion.  It  is  but  natural,  that  the  manly  bear- 
ing of  this  genial,  noble-hearted  father  should  live,  long 
after  his  days  on  earth  are  numbered.  His  fatherly 
fidelity  will  find  its  following  ;  and  his  nobility  of  char- 
acter its  counterpart,  in  the  life  of  the  son,  who  rises  up 
to  fill  the  place  of  his  honored  sire,  in  all  the  ways,  and 
walks  of  life. 

Fathers,  let  the  Good  Shepherd  lead  you,  daily,  through 
the  green  pastures  of  his  love,  like  the  happy  herds, 
moving  through  the  rich  meadows  of  new-mown  hay,  or 


KIND    FATHERS.  20y 

the  verdant  valleys  of  waving  grain,  if  you  would  lead, 
successfully,  your  own  little  flocks,  along  the  ever 
lengthening  line  of  life.  It  is  your  prerogative,  as  a 
father,  to  act  the  part  of  a  shepherd,  to  your  little  flock. 
And,  in  the  discharge  of  this  important  duty,  you  should 
imitate  the  example,  left  you  by  the  Good  Shepherd ; 
and  transmit  the  tenderest  affections  of  a  warm,  sympa- 
thetic heart,  to  all  your  children. 

Parental  influence  is,  often,  silent ;  but  not  the  less 
powerful.  Children  are  imitative  creatures  ;  and  they 
glory,  in  saying  and  doing,  what  papa,  and  mamma  say 
and  do.  They  learn,  much  more  rapidly ;  and  remem- 
ber, much  longer,  the  lessons  of  love,  taught  them  by 
example,  than  they  do  those,  taught  them  by  precept. 
So,  if  the  father  would  have  his  boys  be  polite  and  chiv- 
alrous in  their  conduct,  towards  their  sisters,  he  must 
give  them  an  example,  worthy  their  imitation,  in  his  kindly 
attentions,  and  affectionate  deportment  toward  their 
mother.  Boys  much  prefer,  to  be  led  by  good  examples, 
rather  than  to  be  driven,  by  the  best  of  precepts.  You 
must  use  the  lever  of  love,  freely,  if  you  hope  to  move 
the  hearts  of  your  children,  to  cheerful  obedience,  and 
filial  devotion. 

Fathers,  be  kind  and  affectionate,  to  the  mothers  of 
your  children.  Never  cause  the  fond  bosom,  whose 
happiness  was  all  committed  to  your  keeping,  to  doubt, 
for  one  short  moment,  the  fervency  of  your  affections, 
for  one  who  would  die,  if  needs  be,  for  you.  Let  her, 
ever,  be  conscious  of  the  fact,  that  she  holds  the  upper- 
most seat,  in  your  devoted  heart.  Let  her  feel,  that  her 
love  is  the  sum,  and  substance  of  your  life.  Fathers, 
you  owe  the  very  best  efforts  of  your  lives,  to  your 
17 


208  ACT    AND    RE- ACT. 

wives  and  children.  You  should  manifest  the  most 
active  interests,  in  your  entire  families.  Your  homes 
are  the  places,  where  your  hearts  should  be  anchored, 
around  which  your  hopes  should  be  hanging,  and  to 
which  your  thoughts  should  constantly  be  turning, 
through  all  the  long,  and  laborious  journey  of  life. 

The  happy  sire,  of  a  noble  son,  or  a  devoted  daughter, 
has  good  reasons  to  be  proud,  of  his  offspring.  The 
chief  functions,  of  such  a  father,  ought  to  be  the  hnpar- 
tation  of  the  very  best  lessons,  of  life  to  his  children. 
The  beautiful,  in  life,  far  surpasses  the  beautiful,  in 
nature.  Therefore,  he  should  early  instruct  them,  in 
regard  to  their  physical  beings,  and  physiological  duties. 
They  should  be  well  posted,  at  an  early  age,  in  all  the 
fundamental  principles,  pertaining  to  the  life  and  health 
of  the  body.  This  subject  is,  shamefully,  neglected,  by 
most  parents.  Body,  and  mind  act,  and  re-act  upon 
each  other,  in  all  their  multiform  movements.  Hence, 
the  health,  and  habits  of  the  one,  always  effect  the  in- 
terests, and  energies  of  the  other.  The  body  must  be 
perfect,  in  all  its  parts,  before  the  mind  can  make,  upon 
it,  the  sweet  music,  of  a  harmonious  life.  A  weak  body, 
always,  robs  the  strong  mind,  of  much  of  its  wealth  and 
power.  Our  bodies,  then,  should  be  objects  of  the  most 
careful,  and  healthful  discipline.  Soundness  of  body  is, 
absolutely,  essendal  to  the  highest  development  of  mind, 
and  heart,  and  soul  The  joys  of  earth,  and  the  hopes 
of  heaven  are  not  a  little  affected,  by  our  physical  con- 
dition. There  is,  also,  a  false  modesty,  upon  the  part 
of  many  parents,  that  leaves  their  children,  in  blissful 
ignorance  of  the  fearful  consequences,  of  some  sins 
against  the  body,  until  they  are  ruined  by  them. 


PROPER    TUTORS.  200. 

Father,  you  are  the  proper  tutor,  of  your  household. 
You  have  a  divine   prerogative  granted  you,  which  no 
one  can  challenge  or  change,     It  is  your  privilege,  to 
instruct  the  most  susceptible,  and  receptive  of  all  audi- 
ences, when   you   gather  a  growing  group  of  children, 
around  the  fireside,  to  train  them  for  happiness  and  for 
heaven.     Others  may   supplement  your  teachings  ;  but 
no   one   should   ever  be   allowed   to   supersede   you,  in 
training  your  offspring  for  God.      Fathers,  talk  much, 
with   your  children,  about  things  calculated  to  interest, 
and  instruct  them,  in  the  ways  of  life  and  salvation  ;  and 
you  will  have  but  little  occasion  to  talk  to  them,  about 
their  disobedience,  ingratitude  and  waywardness.    Teach 
your  boys,   also,  to  be  attentive,  to  every  duty  of  life. 
It  will  beget    interest,  in  all    they  are   required  to  do. 
Attention   is  the  mother  of  memory.     The  mind  is   a 
magnet :  and,  if  attentive,  it  is  sure  to  be  receptive  and 
retentive.      In  fact,    every   faculty,   and  function,  of  the 
mind,  must  be  properly  exercised,  by  our  boys  ;  if  we 
would  avoid  the  possibilities  of  a  train,  of  morbid  mis- 
eries, rushing  in,  like  a  flood,  upon  them,  drowning  their 
noblest   ambitions   and   aspirations   for  greatness.     Let 
them  understand,  early  in  life,  that  the  will  is  master  to 
the  man  ;  and  that,  therefore,  its  moral  condition  must, 
of  necessity,  determine  a  man's  moral  status,  and  fore- 
shadow his  future  destiny,  for  weal  or  woe.     As   a  rule 
the  man  will  lie  as  the  boy  leans.      Father,  look  at  your 
son's  inclinations  ;   and,  if  he  leans  to  the  left,  bend  him 
back,  while  he  is  young  and  pliable.     But,  if  he  is  in- 
clined, too  much,  to   the  right,  straighten    him  to  a  per- 
pendicular ;  and  bind  him  fast  to  an   upright  life,  with 
the  chords  of  paternal  love  and  examples. 


2IO  PARENTAL    EXAMPLE. 

Nothing  of  interest  or  importance,  in  the  way  of 
paternal  example,  is  likely  to  escape  the  observation  of 
your  children.  This  is  the  wide-awake  period  of  life. 
Their  eyes  are,  always,  open.  The  little  fellows  are, 
ever,  on  the  alert.  They  will  see,  and  learn  something, 
every  day  they  live.  Give  them  lessons  of  love,  or  they 
will  learn  the  ways  of  sin  and  death.  Store  their  minds, 
with  thoughts  of  the  true  and  the  good  ;  if  you  would 
close  the  avenues  to  their  young,  and  tender  hearts, 
against  the  vicious  and  the  vile.  Select  their  thoughts 
for  them,  by  choosing  their  companions,  and  evolving 
their  environments.  Leave  them,  not,  to  the  selection  of 
their  own  associates,  from  among  the  fair  and  the  foul. 
But.  never  appear  to  be  doing  for  them,  what  they  ought 
to  do  for  themselves.  And,  be  sure  that  the  influence, 
which  your  parental  examples  exercise  over  them,  is  a 
salutary,  and  benign  one,  at  all  times. 

Fathers,  teach  your  children,  that  it  is  a  sad  mistake, 
to  take  the  sign  for  the  thing  signified.  Let  them  know, 
that  the  exterior  glance  does  not,  always,  reveal  the  in- 
terior grace.  Even,  fiction  may  resemble  fact.  There- 
fore, we  should  never  base  our  conclusions,  upon  out- 
ward appearances  alone.  The  empty  alcove  echoes 
loudest,  and  longest  of  all.  The  horse  is  not  to  be 
judged,  from  his  harness  :  neither  can  we  place  a  proper 
estimate,  upon  people,  from  the  words  they  speak,  or 
the  clothes  they  wear.  Many  persons  wear  masks, 
which  mantle  their  souls,  and  completely  veil  their  inner 
lives,  from  all,  save  the  Eye  that  never  sleeps  nor  slum- 
bers. 

The  home  is,  preeminently,  the  place,  for  training 
your  children.     It  is  a  sacred  sanctum  for  them,  at  all 


A    COMFORTABLE    HOME.  211 

times.  It  is  also  a  secure  refuge  for  them,  in  times  of 
darkness  and  danger.  The  great  bosom,  of  the  entire 
family,  beats,  in  deepest  sympathy,  with  the  aching 
heart  of  its  every  member.  The  entire  membership  is 
a  unit,  in  unison  with  each  other,  in  every  movement 
of  life.  Such  is  the  model  home  of  a  fond  father,  and 
a  faithful  family. 

Every  father  should  select  a  good,  comfortable  home, 
for  his  family.  For,  much  hangs  upon  the  choice  of  a 
home.  The  character  of  a  home  is  determined,  largely, 
by  its  surroundings.  And  the  family  is,  much,  what  the 
home  makes  it.  The  father  is  the  recognized  head,  of 
the  household.  He  is  the  active  leader,  of  the  family's 
fortunes  or  failures.  Every  father  has  his  golden  oppor- 
tunities. These  opportunities  should  be  properly  im- 
proved, before  the  sands  of  life,  all,  leave  the  hour-glass 
of  time. 

Fathers,  make  your  homes  beautiful,  if  you  would 
have  them  be  attractive,  to  your  children.  It  is  true, 
this  requires  time  and  taste  ;  but  it  pays  a  large  per 
centum,  per  annum,  on  what  is  invested.  Let  a  beau- 
tiful bow,  of  promise,  arch  the  main  entrance,  to  each 
of  your  happy  homes.  They  will  invite  sunny  faces,  to 
your  firesides  ;  and  fill  your  hearts,  with  the  sunshine 
of  love.  Children  cherish  the  smiles  of  the  pure  and 
good.  And  then  a  little  innocent  amusement,  occasion- 
ally, adds  much  to  the  happiness  of  any  home.  It  is 
even  better,  that  we  laugh,  than  that  we  cry,  over  our 
little  misfortunes,  and  trials  through  life.  Children,  nat- 
urally, relish  the  humorous.  It  is  good  for  them.  It 
sweetens  their  dispositions,  soothes  their  sorrows,  and 
elevates  their  affections.     Fun,  for  your  boys,  is  better 


212  HOME    A    HAPPY  PLACE. 

than  physic  ;  and  a  laugh,  occasionally,  is  worth  more, 
to  your  girls,  than  a  lounge.  Open  your  hearts,  and 
let  the  young  people  enjoy  themselves,  in  their  own 
happy  homes.  Amusement  is  essential  to  the  health 
and  happiness,  of  both  the  body,  and  mind  of  your  chil- 
dren. Only,  see  that  amusements  innocent,  in  them- 
selves, are  not  perverted,  nor  indulged  in,  to  the  ne- 
glect of  higher  and  holier  interests. 

Make  home  a  happy  place,  for  the  little  fellows.  Give 
them  games  of  chance,  and  skill ;  and,  thus,  enliven  the 
long,  dull  evenings,  with  stimulating  amusements.  Con- 
verse, with  your  children,  freely,  and  frequently,  about 
the  events  of  the  day.  Let  them  give  the  incidents  of 
their  own  experience,  and  relate  the  stories  told  them 
by  others  ;  and  be  interested,  in  it  all,  if  you  would  be 
companionable,  and  make  them  enjoy  your  society. 
These  conversations  will,  also,  afford  you  many  fine  op- 
portunities, for  impressing  good  moral  lessons,  upon 
their  young  hearts.  One  of  the  best  safeguards,  your 
children  can  possibly  have  thrown  around  them,  when 
they  go  out  from  under  the  parental  roof,  into  the 
wicked  world,  will  be  the  sacred  influences,  and  hal- 
lowed associations  of  the  happy  homes,  which  they  so 
reluctantly  leave  behind  them. 

Fond  fathers,  open  the  doors  of  your  homes,  and  let 
the  sunshine,  and  pure  air  come  in.  They  are  desirable 
companions,  for  your  children.  Let  the  fire  burn, 
brightly,  in  the  winter;  and  the  sunshine,  cheerfully, 
in  the  summer,  for  all  who  shelter  under  your  roofs, 
and  you  will  have  happy  hearts  and  charming  homes. 
Provide  home  entertainment,  for  your  boys  and  girls, 
as  they  grow   up ;    it  will    counteract    the   solicitations, 


THE    FATHER'S    RESPONSIBILITY.  213 

of  sinful  pleasures  from  abroad.  Family  music,  vocal 
and  instrumental,  is  very  suitable  entertainment,  for 
young  people.  And,  then,  the  songs  of  childhood  are 
never  forgotten.  Their  memories  live,  on  and  on,  to 
refresh  the  heart,  through  the  prime  of  life,  and  under 
the  burdens  of  age.  These  sacred  ties,  which  ever  bind 
us,  to  the  receding  past,  are  the  golden  chords,  which 
unite  happy  youth  and  hoary  age. 

Fathers,  you  are  responsible,  for  the  social  surround- 
ings of  your  children.  You  selected  the  society,  in  which 
they  are  being  reared.  But,  if  the  society,  of  your 
community,  is  not  what  it  ought  to  be,  help  to  make  it 
better.  If  you  can  not  succeed  in  doing  that,  for  your 
children's  sake,  move  into  a  better  neighborhood.  But, 
let  society  be  what  it  may,  know  where  your  boys  are, 
of  nights,  as  long  as  they  shelter  under  your  roofs. 
Keep  them  at  home,  when  you  feel  that  their  interests 
demand  it.  There  may  be,  at  first,  mental  rebellion ;  or 
even  muttered  complaint,  at  your  dictum  ;  but  the  day 
will  come,  when  they  will  recognize  your  authority  as 
supreme ;  acknowledge  the  wisdom  of  your  policy,  and 
even  thank  you,  for  this  interposition  in  their  behalf. 

The  home  circle  is  like  a  musical  instrument.  Its 
father  is  the  performer :  and  its  members  are  the  strings, 
which,  when  touched,  make  melody,  or  discord  in  the 
family.  If  rightly  tuned,  by  him,  they  will  all  vibrate, 
in  perfect  unison  ;  but,  a  single  discordant  note  destroys 
all  the  sweetest,  and  happiest  harmonies  of  domestic  life. 
In  every  truly  happy  home,  there  must  be  oneness  of 
purpose,  and  unity  of  action,  upon  the  part  of  all  its 
inmates.  One  undisciplined,  and  unprincipled  youth  is 
a  curse,  to  any  home  or  community. 


214  THE    PERIOD    OF   PERIL. 

Each  father  should  devote  a  reasonable  portion  of  his 
time,  to  the  entertainment  of  his  children.  In  no  other 
way,  can  he  so  successfully  enshrine  himself,  in  their 
young  and  affectionate  hearts.  No  father  can  afford  to 
have  his  sons,  and  daughters  grow  up,  without  weaving 
himself  into  the  golden  memories,  of  their  happy  child 
hood  days.  The  true  father,  though  bearing  the  heavi- 
est burdens  of  life,  or  wearing  the  highest  honors  known 
to  men,  will  always  find  a  few  moments  to  devote,  to 
the  interests,  and  amusement  of  his  bright-eyed  little 
boys  and  girls.  This  participation,  in  their  childish 
sports,  endears  the  fond  father,  more  and  more,  to  his 
affectionate  children.  Then,  it  softens  the  harsher  out- 
lines, and  tones  up  the  finer  elements,  of  his  own  nature  ; 
and  makes  him,  both  a  better  father,  and  a  more  mag- 
nificent man. 

All  periods,  of  life,  have  their  peculiar  tendencies  and 
temptations.  But  youth  is,  undoubtedly,  the  period  of 
greatest  peril.  It  needs,  most,  to  be  guarded  and 
guided  for  good.  This  is  preeminently,  the  formative 
period,  when  habits  for  life  are  fixed  ;  and  when  charac- 
ter assumes  its  more  definite  shape  and  shadings,  for 
time  and  eternity.  This  is  the  •  period,  when  passions 
begin  to  assert  their  sway  ;  when  the  imagination  paints 
the  world,  in  false  but  fascinating  colors  ;  when  the  social 
impulse  is  first  felt ;  when  the  calling,  for  life,  is  to  be 
chosen,  and  when  parental  authority  is  wont  to  be  thrown 
off,  that  the  young  blood  may  be  left  free  to  think,  and 
act  for  himself.  In  fact,  at  this  age,  the  widest  scope  is, 
often,  given  to  the  restless  imagination  ;  and  the  tireless 
fancy  is  left  to  roam,  at  large,  until  it  leads  the  youth 
to  noting  and  to  ruin. 


ENTERTAINING  THE  CHILDREN, 
(See  page  214.) 


UNMITIGATED    PRAISE.  21$ 

Fathers  can  afford  to  neglect  any  thing  else,  rather 
than  the  interests  of  their  sons,  at  this  critical  age. 
Then,  fathers,  treat  and  train  your  boys  well.  Give  them 
comfortable  rooms  :  make  these  rooms  attractive,  and 
then  they  will  take  interest  in  them.  Have  their  special 
friends  invited,  to  dine  with  them  occasionally  :  and,  in 
many  other  ways,  make  them  feel  that  they  are  constit- 
uent parts  of  the  family ;  and  not  mere  servants,  and 
they  will  not  only  love  their  homes,  but  they  will,  also, 
live  in  them,  as  long  as  circumstances  will  allow ;  and 
then  leave  them,  with  deepest  regrets. 

Fathers,  if  you  have  a  word  of  commendation  for  your 
son,  do  not  couple  it  with  censure.  One  bitter  drop  ren- 
ders nauseous  the  flowing  chalice,  of  sweetest  nectar. 
If  it  is  your  purpose  to  censure,  any  one,  have  the 
moral  manhood,  to  administer  it  unmixed  with  praise. 
But,  if  it  is  your  purpose  to  commend,  then  throw  the 
white  mantle  of  charity  over  all  defects,  and  let  your 
praise  be  unmitigated. 

Father,  never  make  the  mistake,  of  lowering  the 
standard  of  morality  for  your  sons,  while  you  elevate  it 
for  your  daughters.  Let  there  be  but  one  standard,  for 
both  sexes :  and  there  is  but  little  danger,  of  getting 
that  standard  too  high.  We  should  not  be  governed,  in 
this  matter,  so  much  by  looks,  as  by  principles.  Vice  is, 
just,  as  degrading  and  damning  ;  and  virtue,  just,  as  re- 
fining and  elevating,  to  the  masculine,  as  it  is  to  the 
feminine  character.  Never  allow  your  boys  to  go  where 
you  would  not,  under  proper  circumstances,  be  willing 
to  see  your  girls  go.  Never  tolerate,  in  the  conduct  of 
your  sons,  what  you  could  not  commend,  in  the  lives  of 
your  daughters.     Roughness,  and  rudeness  are  not,  es 


216  ROUGHNESS    AND    RUDENESS. 

sential,  ingredients  to  boyhood-life.  Boys  may,  and 
should  be,  just,  as  refined,  and  highly  cultured,  both  in 
their  manners  and  their  morals,  as  the  girls. 

Fathers,  keep  your  boys  in  good  shape,  by  constant 
pruning.  Nip  their  bad  habits,  in  the  bud.  Worthy 
sons  are  rocked,  in  the  arms  of  worthy  mothers,  and 
trained,  for  life,  by  judicious  fathers.  Worthless  boys 
are,  often,  cradled,  in  the  lap  of  luxury,  and  schooled,  in 
the  wantonness  of  wealth  and  wine.  The  bright  boys, 
of  our  happy  homes  and  happier  hearts,  ought  to  be 
taught,  early  in  life,  the  evil  effects  of  strong  drink,  on 
both  the  soul,  and  body  of  those,  who  become  addicted 
to  its  use.  Father,  it  is  your  prerogative,  to  teach  your 
sons  these  important  lessons  of  life  ;  and  your  authority, 
along  this  line,  can  not  be  delegated,  or  transferred  to 
others. 

Fathers,  obedience  is,  absolutely,  essential  to  faithful, 
family  government.  Your  prayers,  and  instructions  will 
prove,  comparatively,  worthless,  if  you  tolerate  acts  of 
disobedience,  upon  the  part  of  your  children.  And,  by 
obedience,  we  mean  a  prompt,  and  cheerful  acquies- 
cence, in  all  the  requests  of  the  parents  ;  and  not  a  mere 
languid,  or  dilatory  yielding,  to  their  repeated  threats 
and  blows.  Nor  is  it  best,  that  they  should  yield  to  your 
arguments ;  but,  they  should,  rather,  learn  to  respect 
your  authority,  and  lose  their  wills  in  your  wishes. 

Father,  study  the  dispositions,  and  know  the  moods 
of  your  children :  and  then  govern  them  accordingly. 
Manifest  patience,  sympathy  and  forbearance,  where 
they  are  needed.  Govern  by  love,  those  who  will  yield 
obedience,  under  its  mild  sceptre.  Be  mild,  and  merci- 
ful to  all :  but  when  the  contest,  with  the  wayward  and 


MORALS    OF    MEN.  2l*J 

stubborn,  comes,  continue  it,  until  the  rebellious  will 
submits,  unreservedly,  to  your  will  and  wishes.  For,  if 
you  can  not  command  the  obedience  of  your  children, 
they  might  as  well  be  fatherless.  In  fact,  they  had,  far, 
better  have  a  faithful  foster-father,  than  such  a  burlesque 
as  you  are,  upon  genuine  father-hood.  But,  remember 
that  those,  who  would  govern  others  well,  must  first 
master  themselves.  Self-control  is  the  first  factor  of  a 
good  father.  He,  who  does  not  control  himself,  will 
never  control  his  children.  He  may  coax,  cower  and 
coerce,  but  he  will  never  control  them. 

The  morals  of  men  depend,  largely,  upon  the  filial 
affection,  and  obedience  of  boys.  The  boy  who  is  de- 
prived of,  or  allowed  to  throw  off  the  restraining  influ- 
ences, of  wholesome  discipline,  will  make  a  man  of 
corrupt  morals.  He  will  be  disobedient,  alike  to  the 
laws  of  church  and  state.  He  will  challenge  the  right 
of  God  and  man,  to  reign  in,  or  rule  over  him,  even,  for 
his  own  good.  Never  require  obedience,  from  the 
stand-point  of  reason  alone.  Let  your  paternal  author- 
ity be  binding  enough,  at  all  times,  to  secure  prompt 
obedience.  But,  that  your  children  may  see  the  reason- 
ableness of  your  demands,  and  become  acquainted  with 
the  character  of  moral  obligations,  it  is  proper  and  right, 
that  you  should,  occasionally,  tell  them  why  you  make 
certain  requirements,  at  their  hands,  and  why  they 
should,  cheerfully,  obey  all  your  commands. 

Many  fathers  drive  their  children,  into  disobedience 
and  sin,  by  keeping  them,  at  too  great  a  distance,  from 
the  paternal  heart.  Sires  should  make  playmates,  and 
companions  of  their  sons.  Let  them  feel  that,  in  you, 
they  have  a  warm-hearted,  sympathetic  and  confidential 


2l8  SOMETHING    TO    DO. 

friend.  Father,  get  nearer  to  your  boys,  than  any  one 
else  can  :  and,  then,  stay  there  ;  and  your  authority  will 
be  absolute  ;  your  opinion  an  oracle,  and  your,  every, 
wish  will  be  their  pleasure. 

Fathers,  give  your  children  something  to  do.  Never 
allow  them  to  feel,  that  they  have  a  day,  or  an  hour,  to 
idle  away.  When  they  need  rest,  or  recreation  let  them 
have  it ;  but,  never  allow  them  to  be  lounging,  and 
loafing  around,  with  nothing  to  do.  For  idle  hands, 
empty  heads  and  useless  hearts  are  sure  to  come  to 
want  and  woe.  But,  do  not  burden  your  boys  unneces- 
sarily. Give  them  reasonable  tasks,  and  plenty  of  time, 
for  recreation  and  amusement.  Remember  they  are 
boys  ;  and,  that  the  youthful  life  ought  to  last,  long  after 
the  older  one  sleeps  the  last,  low  sleep  of  death.  The 
devoted  sire  strives,  to  put  his  sons  and  daughters,  in 
positions  of  usefulness  and  honor.  He  would  not, 
wantonly,  expose  them,  to  unnecessary  hardships : 
neither  would  he,  foolishly,  shield  them  from  such  tasks, 
as  are  helpful  to  both  soul  and  body.  It  is  the  height  of 
folly,  for  parents  to  try  to  palliate  every  crime,  and  per- 
form every  task,  which  lies  in  the  pathway  of  their 
children.  Never  tell  them  to  do  anything,  unless 
you  intend  they  shall  do  it.  Let  your  word  be  law  to 
them. 

Fathers  should  encourage,  and  stimulate  their  boys, 
when  they  are  very  small.  They  ought  to  start  them 
off  right.  They  should  be  in  full  sympathy,  with  all 
their  youthful  aspirations  ;  and  allow  them  to  make  some 
money  for  themselves,  as  soon  as  they  are  able  to  do 
so.  They  ought,  also,  to  be  taught,  just  as  soon,  the 
art  of  economizing.     They  should  learn  to  lay  up  a  part 


ENCOURAGEMENT    FOR   BOYS.  219 

V 

of  their  earnings,  be  it  ever  so  small.  For,  as  the  boy- 
is  allowed  to  spend  his  pennies,  so  the  man  is  like  to 
part  with  his  pounds.  Make  of  your  boy,  financially 
speaking,  a  medium  man,  who  will  steer,  successfully, 
between  the  rocks  upon  which  the  miser,  and  the  spend- 
thrift go  down  to  rise  no  more. 

Fathers,  your  boys  are  undeveloped  men.  They  are 
susceptible  of  culture  and  change.  Bad  habits  are  not, 
often,  born  in  boys.  They  are,  usually,  the  result  of 
gross  neglect,  or  false  training.  The  most  vicious,  and 
unruly  boy  may  be  changed,  as  by  the  work  of  magic  ; 
and  developed,  into  a  truly  genteel  gentleman.  This 
reformation  does  not  require  the  impartation,  of  any 
new  elements  of  character ;  but,  simply,  the  suppression 
of  the  evil,  and  the,  proper,  culture  of  the  embryo  plants, 
already,  in  stock.  The  most  ferocious  animals  are  thus 
tamed ;  and  so  may  be  the  worst,  and  wildest  boys. 
If  discipline  will  subdue  the  inhabitants  of  the  forests 
and  the  fields,  it  will,  also,  conquer  the  little  fellows, 
who  play  around  our  firesides,  no  matter  how  head- 
strong they  may  chance  to  be. 

But,  regeneration  is,  absolutely,  essential  to  the  de- 
velopment of  a  perfect  Christian  character.  You  may 
take  a  child,  in  its  infancy,  and  instruct  it,  in  all  the 
principles  of  morality,  throughout  the  years  of  its  minor- 
ity; and  yet,  if  its  nature  is  not  changed,  in  the  act  of 
regeneration,  the  passions  will  begin  to  assert  their 
sway,  as  opportunity  presents  itself:  gradually,  the  re- 
straining influences,  of  parental  love  and  watch-care, 
will  be  diminished  ;  and,  ere  long  you  will  see  visible 
traces  of  a  blurred,  and  blackened  character. 

Fathers,  educate  your  children.     It  is  your  bounden 


220  THE    CORRECTING    ROD. 

duty,  to  do  so.  To  neglect  this  duty  is,  to  withhold  a 
great  blessing,  from  your  offspring.  Give  them  good 
mental,  and  moral  training :  and  with  this  character  of 
education,  for  sails  ;  and  religious  culture,  for  ballast, 
you  may  set  them  afloat,  upon  the  sea  of  life,  hopeful 
of  a  successful  voyage,  across  the  briny  deep  of  time. 

See  that  your  children  are,  constantly,  gaining  needed 
information.  The  twilight  hours  should  impart  strength, 
to  the  youthful  mind  ;  and  the  morning  dawn  store  it, 
with  useful  knowledge.  The  world  is  full  of  choice 
books,  from  which  may  be  gleaned  the  richest  lessons 
of  life;  and  these  books  are  accessible  to  the  poor,  as 
well  as  to  the  rich.  Only  keep  your  children's  eyes 
open,  and  their  faces  toward  the  morning  light,  if  you 
would  have  them  become  leaders,  in  the  onward  march 
of  this  progressive  age. 

Fathers,  provoke  not  your  children,  with  unreasonable 
commands,  and  perpetual  restrictions.  Govern  your 
own  tempers ;  and  never  speak,  to  them,  in  angry,  shrill 
tones.  Quiet,  soft  words,  positively  spoken,  are  far 
more  effectual,  in  securing  their  obedience.  Do  not  be 
always  checking,  and  rebuking  your  children,  as  though 
you  delighted,  in  finding  fault  with  their  conduct.  If  so, 
they  will  finally  conclude,  that  it  is  a  matter  of  impossi- 
bility to  please  you  ;  lose  heart,  and  quit  trying.  Never 
box  your  child's  ears  ;  nor  kick,  nor  cuff  it  about,  as 
some  people  do  the  poor  dumb  brute.  If  it  becomes 
necessary  to  punish  it,  do  so  in  a  way,  that  will  prove 
to  it,  that  you  respect  it,  as  a  member  of  the  family ; 
and  chastise  it,  for  its  own  good.  Every  time  you  pun- 
ish your  child,  you  either  increase  its  filial  love,  or  alien- 
ate its  frozen  affections  from  you,  more  and  more.     Be 


PUT    UPON    HONOR.  22  1 

careful,  then,  when,  and  how  you  use  the  correcting 
rod :  and  yet,  use  it,  when  necessary,  without  hate  or 
hesitancy.  When  the  lash  is  laid  heavily  on  the  back 
of  the  unruly  lad,  let  it  be  well  seasoned,  with  paternal 
love  :  and  it  will  s<^  *  lead  him  to  pursue  a  different 
course  in  life.  It  will  i^ring  him  up,  in  the  way  he 
ought  to  go  ;  and,  when  he  gets  old,  he  will  not  depart 
from  it. 

Deliver  me,  from  the  spoiled  boy!  The  brother,  who 
depends  upon  his  sisters  for  every  thing,  is  a  worthless 
lad.  Nothing  good  is  likely,  ever,  to  become  of  him. 
He  will  make  a  tyrannical  husband ;  and  a  cruel,  hard- 
hearted father.  His  wife,  and  children  will  be  his  slaves. 
His  neighbors  will  be  his  enemies  ;  and  his  friends  will 
be  few.  He  will  live  without  the  love  of  any,  and  die 
with  none  to  mourn  his  loss. 

Fathers,  put  your  boys  upon  their  honor.  Do  not 
watch  them,  as  spies,  hoping  to  overtake  them  in  some 
act  of  disobedience ;  but,  only,  as  guardians,  desiring  to 
correct  their  erring  feet,  and  guide  them,  in  the  ways  of 
life  and  salvation.  Boys  love  to  be  trusted  ;  and  will 
readily  respond,  to  your  implicit  confidence.  Then,  trust 
them,  unhesitatingly,  and  at  all  times,  with  a  confidence 
that  they  can  neither  doubt  or  deceive.  Insist  upon  the 
highest  order  of  self-respect,  among  your  children.  It 
is  a  most  powerful,  and  valuable  restrainer.  The  boy, 
who  respects  himself  as  he  ought,  will  not  defile  his 
body,  by  sensuality  ;  nor  ever  degrade  his  mind,  by  ser- 
vile thoughts.  With  a  proper  degree  of  self-respect,  he 
will  rise  above  the  low,  and  groveling  things  of  this  life. 
He  will  mount,  in   thought,  and   word,  and  act,  toward 

happiness  and  heaven. 
18 


2  22  PARENTAL    DUTIES. 

The  father's  failures  should  lead  him,  to  foster,  more 
fondly,  his  promising  sons.  He  should  guard  them 
against  the  evils,  which  have  befallen  him  ;  and  guide 
them  to  the  goal,  he  has  missed.  His  past  is  irretriev- 
able :  but,  it  may  give  birth  to  a  better  future,  for  his 
boys.  The  weakness  of  youth,  in  the  perils  of  life, 
ought,  readily,  to  recognize  the  wisdom  of  age.  The 
health,  and  habits  of  parents,  naturally  and  necessa- 
rily effect  the  life,  and  destiny  of  their  offspring.  And, 
fathers  should  remember,  that  their  vices,  often,  en- 
tail disease,  and  bring  premature  death,  upon  their 
children. 

Parental  duties  are  manifold.  Briefly  stated  they  are 
— to  provide  for  the  physical  wants  ;  develop  the  men- 
tal faculties  ;  mold  the  moral  natures,  and  culture  the 
spiritual  powers  of  their  children.  These  duties  should 
be  mutually  borne,  by  father  and  mother.  Parental  in- 
fluence must  be  co-ordinate,  in  order  to  produce  symmet- 
rical development  of  character,  and  insure  the  greatest 
possible  success  in  life.  The  tender  and  constant  min- 
istrations, of  the  model  mother,  must  be  cheerfully  and 
faithfully  seconded,  by  the  fond  father,  if  the  greatest 
good  is  accomplished.  While  the  mother's  love  appeals, 
so  tenderly,  to  the  affections  of  the  child's  heart,  the 
father's  counsel  should  address  itself,  just  as  fondly,  to 
the  various  faculties  of  the  soul.  For,  the  father's  pre- 
cepts and  examples,  always  effect,  more  or  less,  the  fate 
or  fortune  of  the  entire  family. 

In  closing  this  chapter,  we  will  give  a  few  parental 
pointings,  which  we  hope  will  be  appreciated,  alike  by 
fathers  and  mothers,  i.  Inculcate  sound  principles,  and 
enforce  good  conduct.     2.  Deal  gently,  but  firmly,  with 


THE    PURVIEW  OF    PARENTAL    POWER.  223 

your  children.  3.  Be  positive — mean  what  you  say  to 
them.  4.  Require  instant,  and  unfeigned  obedience  of 
them.  5.  Fulfill,  promptly,  all  your  promises  to  them. 
6.  Curb  their  tempers,  on  the  start.  7.  Do  not  tolerate, 
at  one  time,  what  you  will  not  allow,  at  another,  the 
circumstances  being  similar.  8.  Limit  them,  to  the 
truth,  in  their  little  recitals  ;  and  discourage  tale-telling 
and  tattling.  9.  Teach  them,  that  self-denial,  rather 
than  self-indulgence,  is  the  royal  road  to  success  and 
happiness.  10.  Give,  to  them,  as  much  of  your  time, 
and  talents  as  possible.  11.  Give  them,  in  all  things, 
worthy  models,  after  which  to  fashion  their  lives.  12. 
Make  as  few  prohibitory  laws  as  possible;  but,  be  sure 
to  execute  those  you  make.  13.  Impart  a  sense  of, 
absolute,  reliance  to  them ;  and  you  will  have  gone  far 
toward  establishing  a  sure  foundation,  for  future  obedi- 
ence. 14.  Never  get  angry  with  your  children;  nor 
allow  them  to  remain  angry,  with  you.  15.  Never  smile 
at  what  you  do  not  approve,  in  their  conduct.  16.  Never 
give  them  anything,  simply,  because  they  cry  for  it.  17. 
Never  threaten  to  punish  them  in  the  future  ;  for  less 
punishment,  at  the  time,  will  prove  more  effectual.  18. 
Never  grant  them  anything  grudgingly ;  nor  with- 
hold any  thing  selfishly.  19.  But,  above  all  things, 
culture  their  heads  and  hearts ;  and  instruct  them  in 
the  Word  and  ways  of  God.  20.  Observe  these  rules, 
and  you  will  be  sure  to  secure  the  affectionate  obedi- 
ence of  your  children :  but,  pet,  and  spoil  and  indulge 
them  ;  and  they  will  be  miserable,  and  you  will  be 
wretched. 

It     is    within    the    purview     of    parental     power,     to 
govern    children    wisely    and    well ;    and    parents,    who 


224 


PARENTAL    LOVE. 


fail  to  do  so,  will  not  be  held  guiltless.  Paternal  love 
is  commensurate  with  the  interest  taken  in,  and  care 
bestowed  upon,  our  offspring.  Free  us  from  the 
care ;  and  we  will  lose  the  interest,  and  be  wanting 
in  the  love, 


GRANDMOTHER. 
(See  page  825,) 


GRAND-MOTHER-HOOD 


Chapter   IX 


I'm  aged  and  feeble  ;  I'll  soon  lay  life  down  : 
But  I'll  rise,  by  and  by,  to  wear  a  bright  crown. 


RAND-MOTHER-HOOD  is  life 
lingering,  in  the  lap  of  death.  It 
is  life  ready  to  yield,  to  the  king 
of  terrors.  It  is  life  with  its  lease, 
on  time,  drawing  to  a  close.  It  is 
life  willing,  to  swap  time  for  eter- 
nity. It  is  life  waiting,  to  exchange 
earth  for  heaven. 

All  honor  to  aged  grand-mother- 
hood !  Time  has  scattered  snow-flakes,  upon  her  once 
fair  brow  ;  plowed  deep  furrows,  in  her  once  rosy  cheeks, 
and  bowed  down  her,  once  lovely,  form,  with  the  weight 
of  years  :  but  still  she  is  sweet  and  beautiful,  in  person, 
and  grand  and  glorious,  in  life.  Here  is  life,  once  ac- 
tive and  buoyant,  now  sinking  into  silence  and  solitude 
Here  is  life  both  rich  and  rare  ;  life  molded  in  love,  ana 
mellowed  by  age,  nearing  its  completion  :  or  rather  ap- 
proaching its  commencement  day  ;    when,  full  orbed,  it 

will  enter,  upon  its  eternal   existence ;  swing  out,  into 

(225) 


2  26  HER    HOPEFUL    HEART. 

the  unknown,  and  sail  on,  toward  the  grandest  of  all 
destinies — a  home,  and  a  heaven  with  God. 

Here  sits  grand-mother,  in  her  old,  armed  rocking- 
chair,  by  the  fireside,  knitting  as  usual.  The  ripest,  and 
richest,  the  deepest,  and  dearest  experiences,  of  domestic 
life,  have  been  lost,  in  her  love,  and  longings  for  higher, 
and  holier  joys.  Her  eyes  are  aged  and  dim.  Gray 
locks  are  folded  back  over  wrinkled  temples.  Stooped 
shoulders  bend,  under  the  burdens  of  many  years.  But, 
still,  she  is  cheerful  and  happy  ;  for  hope  brings  heaven 
to  her,  as  an  eternal  home.  Her  spirit  will  still  grow 
calmer  and  sweeter,  until  the  golden  gates,  of  endless 
life,  are  lifted  up,  and  the  sainted  pilgrim  enters  the 
eternal  city,  robed,  once  more,  in  all  the  habiliments  of 
immortal  youth. 

Peace,  like  a  river,  rolls  through  her  hopeful  heart. 
But,  it  is  not  perfect  peace.  Her  happiest  hours  are, 
sometimes,  seasoned,  with  sorrows,  and  saddened,  by 
griefs.  Her  brightest  days  are,  occasionally,  darkened, 
with  doubts,  or  beclouded,  with  fears,  lest  some  of  her 
loved  ones  should  linger,  too  long,  in  the  ways  of  sin 
and  death,  and  be,  eternally,  lost.  Perfect  peace  is  a 
stranger  to  earth-life.  It  is  locked  up,  in  the  treasury 
of  the  skies.  The  mystic  key,  to  this  treasury  of  grace, 
is  a  triumphant  death.  This,  only,  can  ravish  the  human 
soul,  with  the  endless  raptures  of  perfect  peace.  It 
must  pass  through  the  darkness,  into  the  light ;  through 
the  sorrows,  into  the  sunshine,  before  it  can  experience 
the  sweets  of  endless  joys. 

Grand-mother  is,  always,  in  a  good  humor.  You  can 
not  remember,  when  you  last  saw  her,  in  a  passion  of 
anger.    Her  temper  has,  long  since,  been  subdued.    Her 


EVERYBODY'S   FRIEND. 
*•  &11  may  come  to  her  with  their  joys  and  sorrows*" 


THIS    AGED    MOTHER.  2  27 

tongue  has  been  brought  into,  willing,  subjection  to  her 
sweet  spirit  of  love.  She  governs  herself,  by  the  whole- 
some laws  of  love.  Her  good  nature,  like  oil  upon  the 
troubled  waters,  pacifies  her  aged  mind ;  soothes  her 
sorrowful  soul,  and  keeps  calm  the  placid  sea  of  her, 
lovely,  life  ;  while  she  waits,  patiently,  her  summons  to 
the  tomb.  She  anticipates  dying  grace,  in  a  dying 
hour ;  and  nothing  moves  her  fixed  faith,  in  the  fulfill- 
ment of  the  promises  of  the  world's  Redeemer.  And, 
ere  long,  the  dark  mantle  of  death  will  be  laid,  over  the 
sweet  face,  and  the  once  fair  features,  of  the  dear  old, 
dead  grand-mother. 

This  aged  mother,  in  Israel,  has  many  words  of  cheer, 
and  comfort  for  those  she  meets,  along  the  highway  of 
life.  In  fact,  all  may  come  to  her,  with  their  joys  and 
sorrows  unbosomed ;  feeling  confident,  that  she  will 
rejoice  with  them,  if  they  rejoice:  or  weep  with  them,  if 
they  weep.  She  is  feeble,  and  helpless,  now :  but  still 
cheerful  and  happy.  She  has,  long  since,  ceased  to 
gaze,  upon  the  sad,  and  shady  side  of  human  life ;  and 
learned  to  look  much,  upon  the  soft,  and  sunny  side. 
But,  the  love  of  life,  and  the  license  of  liberty  are  still 
left  her.  She  finds  much  pleasure,  in  her  children  and 
grand-children  ;  but  most  consolation,  in  her  hours  of 
secret  devotion,  and  sweet  communion  with  God. 

Yes,  her  religion  is  the  greatest  comfort — the  sweetest 
solace — to  her  aged,  aching  heart:  and,  with  its  precious 
promises,  and  soul-comforting  truths,  she  would  encour- 
age, and  strengthen  the  hearts  of  all  others.  Her 
religion  soothes,  and  softens  all  her  sorrows  ;  weighs, 
and  weakens  all  her  woes,  and  bears  the  burdens,  of 
her    saddest    bereavements.       She  does  not  simply  do 


2  28  HER    HOPE    OF    HEAVEN. 

religion  ;  but,  she,  also,  lives  religious.  Hers  is  not  a 
hope  so,  or  a  heartless  ;  but  a  heart-felt  religion.  With 
her,  religion  is  everything ;  or,  it  is  nothing.  She  is  a 
positive  Christian ;  and  positive  that  she  is  a  Christian. 
Her  hope  of  heaven  hangs,  on  no  contingency.  She 
has  gotten  the  greatest  possible  good  out  of  this  life, 
simply  by  making  the  best  possible  preparation,  while  in 
it,  for  the  life  to  come.  Her  holy  acts  have  strength- 
ened her  holiness  of  heart.  They  have  been  so  many 
good  seeds,  culminating  in  more,  and  better  life  for  the 
soul.  All  the  sacred  influences,  of  her  Christian  fellow- 
ship, have  been  so  many  chains  of  gold,  binding  her,  in 
the  happiest,  holiest  bonds,  of  Christian  love,  closer,  and 
still  closer,  to  the  church  of  Christ.  Her  religion  has 
eliminated  every  selfish  element,  from  her  nature ;  and 
grafted,  in  their  stead,  all  the  benevolent  attributes  of 
Christianity. 

This  holy  religion,  which  our  grand-mothers  commend 
to  us,  so  highly,  both  by  words  and  works,  anticipated 
all  the  wants,  and  woes  of  our  fallen  race.  It  opened 
up,  a  living  fountain — a  spiritual  Bethesda,  whose  waters 
are  always  swept,  by  the  wings  of  angels — and  to  which 
the  most  sin-polluted  souls  may  come  and  wash;  be 
cleansed,  from  all  their  impurities,  and  made  every  whit 
whole.  But,  this  religion  calls,  for  a  voluntary  sur- 
render, without  reservation,  of  the  very  best  time,  and 
talents  we  possess.  And,  it  is  worthy,  of  all  it  de- 
mands ;  or,  can  possibly  receive  at  our  hands.  It  will 
reward  us,  four-fold,  for  all  our  services,  and  sacrifices 
through  life.  It  really  pays,  and  pays  well,  to  be,  truly, 
religious.  Then,  let  no  sinister  motives  prompt  your 
actions,  or  influence  you,  to  try  to  live  a  Christian  life; 


GRAND-MOTHER  S    RELIGION.  229 

but,  be  sure  your  heart  is  right :  for,  religion  changes 
the  power,  and  purposes  of  a  wicked  heart,  and  a 
worldly  life.  When  self  is  supreme,  your  religious  life 
is  a  sad  failure ;  but,  when  self  is  subdued,  it  will  be  a 
signal  success.  This  religion  is  truly  wonderful,  in  its 
works.  It,  even,  renders  darkness,  and  death  mediums 
of  light  and  life  ;  and,  transforms,  objects  of  shame  and 
disgrace,  into  beings,  full  of  grace  and  glory. 

This  religion  is  a,  wonderful,  revelation,  from  God  to 
man.  Revelation  is  a  divine  response,  to  the  human 
head  and  heart.  It  addresses  man's  reason ;  and  also 
appeals  to  his  affections,  thus  furnishing  him  a,  two-fold, 
foundation,  upon  which  to  ground  his  faith,  in  Christ. 
This  saving  faith  embodies  two  distinct  elements — the 
assent  of  the  mind,  and  the  acknowledgment  of  the 
heart;  and  opens  a  fountain  of  life,  to  bathe  the  soul, 
and  the  body.  Faith,  with  what  faith,  necessarily,  im- 
plies, is  the  sole  condition  of  regeneration,  which  is  the 
struggling,  out  of  darkness  and  death,  into  light  and 
life,  upon  the  part  of  the  penitent  believing  soul,  and 
the  washing,  and  renewing  of  the  unholy  nature,  upon 
the  part  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  this  gives  us  the  ex 
perimental,  heart-felt  religion,  of  our  dear,  old  grand- 
mothers. 

But,  Grand-Mother,  always,  seems  to  be  so  happy. 
Oh !  so  very,  very  happy !  What  can  be  the  secret,  of 
her  continued  happiness  ?  Contentment  with  her  lot ; 
and  the  faithful  discharge  of  all  her  duties.  Duty,  and 
contentment  bid  us  all  be  happy.  We  should  train  our 
minds,  to  the  happiest  moods  of  thought.  We  should 
stimulate  our  hearts,  to  the  most  cheerful  response,  to 
kindly  feelings.     We  should  stir  our  souls,  to  the  most 


23O  GRAND-MOTHER  S    LIFE. 

animated  degree  of  action.  It  is  morally  wrong,  for  us 
to  be  gloomy  and  melancholy ;  and,  thus,  make  our- 
selves miserable,  and  unhappy  all  our  lives  long.  Earth's 
real  heroes,  and  heroines  are  the  men,  and  women,  who 
cheerfully,  and  bravely  bear  the  burdens  of  life,  ever 
lending  helping  hands,  to  those  around  them. 

Grand-mother's  life  has  been  one  of  love,  joy  and 
gratitude.  Oft-times,  her  heart  has  leaped  for  gladness, 
as  though  it  would  leave  the  tottering  old  body,  take 
wings  and  fly  away.  On  such  occasions,  her  soul  would 
pour  itself  out  in  song ;  which,  mingled  with  the  mystic 
lays  of  wind,  or  wave,  went  up,  in  grateful  praises,  to 
the  Giver  of  all  good.  Her  hopes  are  fixed,  in  the 
heavens  of  her  unfaltering  faith,  like  the  beautiful  stars, 
in  their  golden  sockets,  which  bedeck  the  canopy,  above 
her  devoted  head. 

Grand-mother  has  lived  for  God;  and  the  good  she 
might  do  humanity,  at  large.  The  lights,  and  shadows 
of  her  eventful,  and  happy  life,  have  fallen  on  many 
hearts,  to  charm  and  cheer,  heal  and  help  them,  on 
their  way  to  heaven.  Her  generous  soul  has,  often, 
found  something,  to  forgive  and  forget.  It  has,  often, 
been  hers  to  watch,  and  weep,  and  work,  for  the  well- 
being  of  others.  Her  aims,  and  efforts  in  life  have,  al- 
ways, been  worthy  the  lofty  aspirations  of  her  gener- 
ous, noble  heart.  She  is  very  devotional.  She  goes  to 
her  closet  every  day,  to  spend  a  season,  in  secret  prayer 
to  her  God.  And,  sometimes,  she  gets  so  near  the 
throne  of  divine  grace,  that  she  can,  almost,  hear  the 
music  of  heaven  ;  and  then,  a  quiet,  sweet  peace  falls, 
upon  her  sanctified  soul,  like  the  gentle  echo  of  angels' 
songs;  and,  she  rejoices,  in  spirit,  with  exceeding  great 


THE    INFLUENCE    OF    HER    LIFE.  23 1 

joy  :  for  her  hopes  give  her  a  home,  where  the  angels 
dwell,  and  the  law,  of  the  Lord,  is  the  light  of  her 
earthly  life.  Happy,  thrice,  and  forever  happy,  she 
whose  path  shines  brighter,  and  still  brighter,  until  the 
ushering  in,  of  the  perfect  day,  when  it  shall  be  lost, 
in  the  light  and  glory  of  an  endless  life. 

This  aged  mother,  in  Israel,  has  so  lived,  that  the  in- 
fluence, of  her  consecrated  life,  has  been  felt  for  good, 
far  and  wide ;  and  will  continue  to  be  felt,  when  her 
name  shall  have  been  forgotten,  on  the  earth.  Her  life- 
work  has  been  but  the  prelude,  to  what  will  follow,  while 
she  sleeps,  and  slumbers  in  the  dust  of  death.  Her  fi- 
delity has  planted  seeds,  of  perpetual  fruitage.  It  has 
put  in  motion  a  wave,  of  sacred  influence,  which  will 
sweep  on  down,  over  unborn  generations,  even,  to  the 
end  of  time.  She  will  soon  rest,  from  her  labors  of 
love ;  but  her  works  of  righteousness  will  follow  her, 
even,  to  the  golden  gates  of  the  new  Jerusalem,  and 
there  crown  her,  with  heaven's  richest  reward.  She 
has  been  a  faithful  follower  of  Christ.  Like  Mary  of 
old,  she  loves  to  sit  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  learn  from 
him  the,  wonderful,  lessons  of  life,  which  it  is  his  pleas- 
ure to  impart.  She  would  feed,  and  feast,  for  hours, 
forgetful  of  every  thing  else,  upon  the  celestial  food,  as 
it  falls  from  his  lips  of  love. 

Old  age  is  contemplative.  The  aged  dwell,  much 
upon  the  future,  as  well  as  the  past.  They  link  the 
fond  associations  of  loved  ones,  on  earth,  with  their 
sweet  anticipations  of  a  reunion,  with  them,  in  the  glory 
world.  They,  often,  comfort  their  hearts,  with  the  hope 
of  future  recognition.  They  believe  they  will  know,  and 
be  known,  by  their  loved  ones,  in  the  spirit  land.     They 


232  ANTICIPATIONS    OF    A    REUNION. 

can  not  see  death,  the  conquered  foe,  as  the  destroyer 
of  friends,  and  the  annihilator  of  friendship.  But,  they 
are,  constantly,  anticipating  an  eternity  of  happiness, 
with  their  sainted  dead,  on  the  Elysian  plains,  in  the 
Hesperian  climes  and  along  the  happy  highways,  of  the 
glory  land. 

The  aged  mother  may,  possibly,  have  trodden  the 
pathway  of  affliction,  through  all  the  long  journey  of 
life.  She  may,  oft-times,  have  felt,  that  she  had  been 
singled  out,  as  a  target,  for  the  swiftly  flying  arrows  of 
the  Almighty.  But,  when  her  dim  vision  began  to  lose 
sight  of  time,  and  her  faith  began  to  penetrate  the  in- 
tervening vail,  between  this  and  the  unseen  world,  she 
realized  that  her  light  afflictions,  which  could  be  but  mo- 
mentary, were  fast  giving  way  to  an  eternal  weight  of 
glory:  and  she  sings  her  soul's  cheering  song,  of  that 
lovely  land ;  the  land  that  is  brighter  than  day.  And 
this  is  the  song  she  sung : 

1 .  We  soon  will  sing,  in  that  lovely  land ; 

A  land  that  is  far,  far  away ; 
That  beautiful  land,  that  happy  land ; 
The  land  that  is  brighter  than  day. 

CHORUS. 

The  Lord  is  the  light,  of  that  lovely  land ; 

The  land  that  is  brighter  than  day ; 
Yes,  brighter  than  day,  brighter  than  day ; 

The  land  that  is  brighter  than  day. 

2.  They  need  no  sun,  in  that  Lord-lit  land. 

To  chase  midnight  darkness  away ; 


THE    SONG    OF    THE    SOUL.  233 

For  all  o'er  that  land,  that  radiant  land, 
Shines  an  endless,  glorious  day. 

3.  They  have  no  moon,  in  that  distant  land  ; 

Nor  stars  to  illumine  their  way ; 
For  night,  in  that  land,  that  strange,  strange  land, 
There's  not,  for  it's  one  endless  day. 

4.  No  clouds  are  seen,  in  that  sinless  land, 

Where  storms  never  sweep  o'er  the  skies; 
For,  all's  so  fair,  on  that  glitt'ring  strand, 
That  sorrow's  dark  clouds  never  rise. 

5.  There  are  no  deaths,  in  that  sun-bright  clime  ; 

Nor  sickness,  nor  suffering  there  ; 
But  life  immortal,  and  love  divine, 
With  God,  and  the  angels  to  share. 

6.  This  is  the  land,  the  long  looked  for  land ; 

The  land  that  our  faith  now  can  see  : 
Yes,  this  is  that  land,  glorious  land, 

Where  with  loved  ones,  soon,  we  shall  be. 

Many  have  been  the  secret  sorrows,  of  grand-mother's 
sad  soul ;  but  light  has,  invariably,  followed  the  dark- 
ness, as  day  follows  the  night.  But,  her  soul  took  deep 
root,  in  the  midst  of  her  trials,  troubles  and  tribulations, 
and  has  blossomed  forth  in  the  beauty,  bounty  and 
buoyancy  of  an  immortal  hope.  The  poor  old  lady,  who 
has  lived  for  the  Lord,  may  have  but  little  in  hand,  but 
she  is  rich  in  hope.  Her  sphere  may  be  very  humble 
on  earth;  but  she  will  be  highly  honored  in  heaven. 
She  may  have  experienced  the  extremes  of  joy  and  sor- 
row, grief  and  glory,  as  she  moved  among  the  homes, 
19 


234  ITS    DARK    SIDE. 

and  hovels  of  men  ;  but  she  has  a  title  to  an  endless 
inheritance,  in  the  many-mansioned  house  of  her  heav- 
enly Father.  And,  .she  will  be  ready  to  pass,  in  peace, 
to  that  happy  home,  when  the  Master  calls  her  to  the 
rest  that  remaineth  to  the  righteous  of  earth.  So  the 
poor  are  not  to  be  despised,  on  account  of  their  poverty. 
Neither  are  the  rich  to  be  envied,  because  of  their 
wealth.  A  fortune  is  often  the  greatest  misfortune;  and 
poverty  a  blessing  in  disguise. 

But  old  age  has  its  dark  side.  It  has  its  sad  thought. 
After  providing  for  itself,  as  long  as  it  can,  it  would  lean 
upon  some  strong  arm,  during  the  decline  of  life.  But, 
it  shrinks  from  the  thought  of  being  a  burden  to  others, 
even  to  an  own  child.  We  should  love,  and  care  for  the 
old  people  very  tenderly.  They  are  worthy  of  our  faith- 
ful watch-care,  and  deepest  devotion.  We  should  let 
them  feel,  that  they  are  still  helpful  to  us  ;  and  never  lead, 
or  leave  them  to  feel  that  their  days  of  usefulness  are, 
entirely,  gone.  Let  us  draw  all  we  can  from  the  rich, 
and  varied  experience  of  age.  Old  people  delight  to 
impart  knowledge,  when  sought  at  their  hands. 

Be  kind  to  the  aged  ones  of  earth.  They  will  not  be 
with  you  long.  You  will  lose  them  by  and  by.  If  un- 
kind to  grand-mother,  you  may  mourn  your  mistreat- 
ment of  her,  when  you  see  her  face  no  more  on  earth. 
Do  not  let  your  hands  plant  your  future, with  thorns  and 
thistles.  But,  do  not  dissemble.  If  you  can  not  feel, 
do  not  feign  sympathy  for  her.  Remember,  words  of 
sympathy,  on  the  lips,  are  works  of  compassion,  in  the 
lite.  Acts  of  kindness,  with  the  hand,  are  deeds  of 
benevolence,  in  the  heart.  Tears  of  pity,  in  the  eye, 
are  dew-drops  of  pathos  from  the  soul. 


GRANDMA'S  DARLINGS. 

(See  page  235.) 


GRANDMA,    AND    HER    DARLINGS.  235 

Old  people,  often,  outlive  their  active  usefulness,  in 
this  life ;  and,  unless  we  care  for  them  tenderly,  and 
kindly,  their  last  days  will  be  a  burden,  and  death  a  cov- 
eted boon.  But,  if  properly,  and  affectionately  cared 
for,  they  will  remain  cheerful,  and  hopeful,  even,  to  the 
end  of  life.  And,  they  will  teach  us  how  religion  can 
sustain  the  weary  pilgrim  of  earth,  and  gild  the  dark 
horizon  of  death,  with  the  crimson  glories  of  a  lovely 
sunset.  We  love  to  see  a  good  old  grand-mother  sit- 
ting quietly ;  and,  calmly  waiting  her  summons  home. 
She  lingers  lovingly,  in  the  twilight  of  life,  waiting 
patiently  the  day-break  of  eternity.  She  is  ripe  for 
heaven.  Her  last  days  on  earth  are  her  happiest,  and 
her  best.  They  are  full  of  peace  and  patience.  Her 
sweet  spirit,  gradually,  grows  cooler,  and  calmer,  as  the 
long  shadow  of  life  continues  to  lengthen,  and  the  dark 
portals  of  death  lift  up  their  heads,  into  the  golden  sun- 
light of  hope,  to  let  the  way-worn  pilgrim  pass  into  the 
courts  of  endless  life. 

When  old  age  comes,  it  must  be  a  sweet  solace,  and 
comfort  to  declining  years,  to  have  affectionate  grand- 
children come  to  the  loving,  and  lovely  heart,  with  their 
grateful  ministrations  of  filial  affection.  It  is  a  touch- 
ingly  beautiful  scene,  to  see  grandma,  with  her  little 
darlings  gathered  round,  while  she  sits  in  the  old  armed- 
chair,  entertaining  them,  with  quaint,  old  stories  of  other 
days.  The  relative  importance  of  these  lovely  scenes 
are  to  be  seen,  in  their  reciprocal  influences,  on  the  hearts, 
and  lives  of  the  old  and  the  young.  Youth  gives  to  age 
no  richer  heritage  than  the  fond  memories  of  a  sainted 
grand-mother,  whose  sweet  spirit  touched,  and  tendered 
all  hearts  while  on   earth.     Such,  sacred,  memories  are 


236  GRAND-MOTHER    GETTING    OLD. 

safe-guards,  amid  the  struggles,  and  temptations  of  time 
all  along  the  line  of  life. 

Grand-mother  is  getting  old.  Her  days  are  almost 
numbered.  Her  sun  of  life  long  since  crossed  its  me- 
ridian ;  and  is  rapidly  wheeling  its  course  down  the 
heavens,  toward  its  western  horizon.  Her  setting  sun 
will,  soon,  sink  behind  the  silver  clouds,  of  the  silent 
evening  of  life.  Her  feet  have,  often,  walked  the  ways 
of  sadness  and  sorrow.  Her  heart  has,  often,  melted, 
with  grief  and  anguish.  But,  now  she  stands,  serenely, 
beneath  the  bending  skies,  without  an  intervening  cloud, 
to  obscure  the  glorious  visions  of  her,  far-seeing,  eye  of 
faith.  The  long  night  of  her  sufferings,  and  sorrows 
will  soon  give  way,  to  the  golden  dawn,  of  an  endless 
day  of  joy  and  gladness.  The  surcease  of  sorrow,  for 
which  she  sighs,  will  soon  be  hers.  The  respite,  from 
pain  and  death,  for  which  she  longs,  awaits  her  just 
across  the  still  waters,  of  the  last  river,  on  the  sun- 
bright  shore  of  eternal  deliverance.  And  she  sings, 
with  triumph,  the  song  of  the  aged  pilgrims : 

All  our  morning  hours  are  past ; 

The  night  is  drawing  nigh  : 
Now,  our  shadows  lengthen  fast ; 

We'll  leave  you,  by  and  by. 

CHORUS. 

Here  we  stand,  on  Jourdan's  strand  ; 

The  river'll  soon  run  dry  ; 
Then,  o'er  goes  our  faithful  band, 

To  reign  with  God  on  high. 


THE    AGED    PILGRIMS'   SONG.  2^J 

All  our  happy  hearts  are  light, 

And  all  our  spirits  free ; 
For,  our  blest  home,  full  in  sight, 

Our  aged  eyes  can  see. 

We're  crossing  o'er  Jordan  now; 

Toward  that  happy  home  ; 
Light,  and  gladness  crown  each  brow : 

Our  feet  no  more  shall  roam, 

Glory  be  to  God  above, 

Our  spirits  sweetly  sing ; 
From  whose  chast'ning  rod  of  love, 

We  pass  up  to  our  King. 

And,  when  we  vie  round  his  throne, 

With  all  our  loved  and  lost, 
Loud  hosannahs  shall  make  known, 

The  joys  of  ransomed  hosts. 

Grand-mother's  summer  of  life  is  ended.  The  cold, 
chilly  blasts  of  winter  are  sweeping  over  her  devoted 
head,  with  ever-increasing  fury.  But,  amid  the  storms 
of  the  winter  of  age,  her  love  glimmers,  and  glows, 
with  ever-accumulating  fervor,  and  ever-strengthening 
faith.  The  warmth,  of  her  fond  affections,  is  felt  far  and 
near.  Her  hopes,  of  happiness,  are  all  centered  in 
Jesus.  He  is  her  light,  her  life  and  her  salvation.  He 
is  the  joy  of  her  present,  and  the  hope  of  her  future  life. 
She  has  been  faithful,  in  her  devotions  to  God  ;  and 
hence,  the  dark  angel  of  death  will  be  an  angel  of  light 
and  life  to  her  ;  and  the  gloomy  grave  a  sweet,  and 
quiet  resting-place  for  the  aged  body,  of  the  sleeping 
dead. 


238  THE    CLOSE    OF    LIFE. 

Grand-mother's  life  is  fast  drawing  to  a  close.  There 
is  nothing  left  her,  on  earth,  but  the  sweet  reminis- 
cences, of  the  distant  past ;  and  the  long  cherished 
hopes,  of  an  endless  future.  Now,  at  last,  she  lies  on 
her  dying  couch :  and  the  sable  wings  of  the  dark 
death-angel  shadow  her  marble-white  brow ;  while  a 
gleam  of  glory  penetrates  the  darkness  of  death,  and 
lights  up  her  countenance,  with  expressions  of  hope  and 
joy,  which  are  ineffable.  A  halo  of  softened,  and  sub- 
dued radiance  hangs  round  her  hallowed  head,  like  a 
crown  of  golden  glory.  The  fountains  of  life  are  being 
broken  up,  by  the  powers  of  death.  The  silver  chords 
are  being  severed.  The  golden  lamp  of  life  is  growing 
dimmer  and  dimmer.  But,  her  sleep  is  sound.  Her  rest 
is  sweet.  Her  dreams  are  pleasant.  She  is  listening  to 
the  harps  of  heaven.  She  is  looking  for  a  convoy  of 
angels  to  come,  ere  long,  on  silvery  wings,  and  with 
golden  harps,  to  bear  her  ransomed  spirit  away,  in  tri- 
umph, to  its  heavenly  home  in  the  skies.  Listen !  from 
the  angelic  choir  comes,  mellowed  by  the  distance,  the 
soft,  subdued  chorus  of  welcome,  to  her  celestial-bound 
soul.  The  sacred  hush,  of  the  holy  night,  seems  to  be 
in  deepest  sympathy,  with  the  closing  scenes  of  her 
eventful  life.  The  sleepy  air  moans  a  melancholy  wail, 
as  sweet,  and  soul-animating,  to  the  dying,  as  it  is  sad, 
and  soul-subduing,  to  the  bereaved  friends  and  loved 
ones,  who  so  soon  must  mourn  her  departure. 

Grand-mother  has  reached  the  closing  scene,  of  her 
earthly  pilgrimage.  The  sable  cloud  of  death,  with 
life's  silver  lining,  overhangs  her  drooping  head.  The 
darkness  will  soon  be  over.  The  light  is  pouring  in. 
The  last  shadow  will  soon  be  driven  away.     Then,  a 


GRAND-MOTHER    IS    DEAD.  239 

halo  of  glory  will  mantle  the  departing  spirit.  Hope 
already  rises  far  above  the  hazy  horizon  of  death,  like 
fleecy  clouds,  on  emerald  skies  ;  and  hangs  the  beautiful 
bow  of  promise  above  the  dark  portals,  which  lead 
through  temporal  death,  to  life  immortal.  The  doors  of 
death  are  being  lifted  up  ;  a  convoy  of  angels  are  wait- 
ing, and  heaven's  gates  of  pearl  are  swinging  back,  upon 
their  golden  hinges,  while  saints  and  seraphs  are  watch- 
ing, to  welcome  the  aged  mother,  at  her  coming,  to  the 
glories  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 

She  is  passing  through  the  last  struggles,  between 
life  and  death.  She  will  soon  be  gone,  where  her  soul 
will  be  saluted,  by  a  sea  of  seraphic  sounds.  She  will 
soon  be,  where  light,  and  life,  and  love  hold  undisputed 
empire,  in  the  city  of  her  God.  For,  the  inspiration  of 
the  hour  has  resurrected,  all,  her  buried  hopes  of 
heaven  :  and  dying  grace  is  carrying  her,  triumphantly, 
over  the  dark  Jordan  of  death.  She  is  passing  peace- 
fully, and  passively  out  of  this,  into  a  better  state  of 
existence.  Her  day  of  life  is,  rapidly,  drawing  to  a 
close.  The  night  of  death  is,  fast,  shutting  out  the 
lingering  rays  of  fading  light.  She  has  drifted,  far, 
down  the  mystic  stream  of  time.  A  few  more  pulse 
beats,  and  all  will  be  still.  Another  short  breath,  and 
she  has  breathed  her  last  on  earth.  She  will  walk  the 
weary  ways  of  this  world  no  more  forever.  She  has 
gone  to  a  brighter,  better  world  than  this.  Grand- 
mother is  dead.  Her  sun  of  life  sank,  like  a  lovely 
vessel  at  sea,  slowly  behind  the  distant  waves  of  death. 
Many  tears  bear  sincere  tribute  to  her  womanly  worth. 
Many  words  of  commendation  testify  to  the  high  re- 
gard, in  which  she  was  held,  by  all  who  knew  her,  in 


24O  IN  THE  HEAVEN  OF  HEAVENS. 

this  life.  Her  body  is  lifeless,  in  the  cold,  damp  ground; 
where  it  must  sleep,  till  the  resurrection  morn  ;  but  her 
spirit  is  in  heaven. 

Death  is  the  relentless  foe — the  ruthless  enemy  of 
our  race.  His  voice  has  been  heard,  in  every  house- 
hold. His  foot-prints  have  been  left,  on  every  hearth- 
stone, in  the  land.  He  has  torn  many  of  our  dearest 
friends,  and  loved  ones  from  our  fond  embraces  ;  and 
left  us  waiting,  and  weeping  on  the  sad,  and  silent 
shores  of  time.  But,  our  sainted  dead  have  silently 
passed,  to  the  shining  shores  of  the  celestial  land. 
They  still  visit  us,  in  our  dreams,  to  flit,  like  shadows, 
or  fly,  like  seraphs,  across  our  melancholy  memories. 
But,  the  shadows  fall,  upon  them,  never  more,  if  they 
died,  in  the  triumphs  of  a  living  faith  in  Jesus.  Love 
rules  their  lives  ;  and  heaven  is  their  home  for  evermore. 
And,  the  burst  of  grief,  in  our  heavy  hearts,  has  calmed 
down,  to  the  melting-  tears  of  fond  recollections.  The 
deep  anguish,  and  agonies  of  our  sad  souls  have 
softened  into  passive,  and  pensive  meditation,  upon  their 
happy  existence,  in  the  home  of  the  soul :  and,  we  could 
not  call  them  back,  to  this  sin-cursed  world,  if  we  pos- 
sessed the  power.  Especially  is  this  true,  if  we  know 
that  they  have  gone  to  the  realms  of  light,  and  life, 
where  the  bow  of  promise  never  fades ;  the  star  of  hope 
never  grows  dim,  and  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  shines 
for  evermore.  Our  love  bids  us  let  them  wear  their 
crowns,  sit  upon  their  thrones  and  reign,  as  kings  and 
queens,  with  the  King  of  kings,  eternally  in  the  heaven 
of  heavens. 


GRAND-FATHER- HOOD 


Chapter  X. 


V"  have  lived  many  years  ; 
Soon  my  days  will  be  gone  ; 
They  started  with  the  cradle; 
They  shall  lead  to  the  throne. 


RAND-FATHER-HOOD  is  life,  in 
the  wane.     It  is  life,  verging  on  the 
grave.  It  is  life,  tottering  toward  the 
tomb.     It  is  life,  courted  by  death. 
It  is  life,  ripe  for  the  harvest — ready, 
for  heaven.     It  is  life,   about  to  lie 
down,  in  the  arms  of  death — about 
to  yield  to  death's  wooings.  It  is  life  temporal, 
on  the  eve  of  being  exchanged,  for  life  eternal. 
It  is  natural  life,  on  earth,  longing  for  immor- 
tal life  in  heaven. 

Old  age  is  borne  forward,  by  the  resistless 
tide  of  time.     Its  course  is  ever  onward,  with 
the  ceaseless  current  of  the  sweeping  centu- 
There  is  no  ebbing,  to  the  ever  rolling  river  of 
life,  which  moves  on,  so  rapidly,  toward  the  ocean  of  the 

future,  when  time  shall  lapse    into   eternity.      But,  the 

(240 


nes. 


242  ACTIVE    AGENTS. 

aged  will  look  back,  and  live,  much,  in  the  past.  They, 
then,  look  forward,  and  live,  more,  in  the  future.  The 
present,  seldom,  has  many  charms  for  them.  Their 
happiest  dreams  are  of  days  that  are  gone  ;  and  their 
fondest  hopes,  of  joys  to  come. 

Aged  people  are  wont  to  think  of  olden  times,  as 
being  the  best,  from  the  fact  that  they  belong  to  the 
distant  past,  when  they  were  active  agents  upon  the 
stage  of  life.  The  scenes,  and  services,  of  other  days, 
have  all  lost  many  of  their  thorns  and  thistles,  in  the 
enchanted  distance,  that  lies  between  them  and  these 
aged  veterans  of  the  cross.  Many  of  their  reminiscences 
of  the  past,  are  so  pleasant,  that  they  lose  sight  of 
much,  connected  with  those  good  old  days,  that  was 
really  burdensome,  and  oppressive  in  the  extreme  at  the 
time.  But,  it  is  perfectly  natural  for  us  to  recount,  even 
our  heaviest  hardships,  with  a  degree  of  pleasure  kindred 
to  exultation,  when  the  flight,  of  intervening  years,  lies 
between  us  and  them.  The  soldier,  who  has  endured 
the  hardships  of  war,  knows  how  natural  it  is  for  this 
feeling  to  come  up  in  the  mind,  and  find  lodgment  in 
the  heart,  when  memory  recounts  the  long  weary 
marches,  and  the  hard  fought  battles  through  which  he 
passed,  under  the  heaviest  burdens  of  his  eventful  life. 
So  the  veteran  soldiers,  of  the  cross,  are  wont  to  rejoice, 
over  the  most  hotly-contested  battles  of  life,  when  the 
sacred  reminiscences  of  the  wonderful  warfare,  through 
which  they  have  passed,  successfully,  loom  up,  only,  in 
the  light  of  crowns,  and  sceptres,  and  thrones  for  the 
valiant,  and  victorious  soldiers  of  the  cross. 

But,  again,  the  aged  have  long  since  learned,  that 
the  trials,  through  which  we  pass,  and  the  troubles,  we 


TIMID    AND    CAUTIOUS.  243 

are  called  upon  to  endure  in  this  life,  are  often  bless- 
ings in  disguise.  Some  of  them  have,  even,  learned  to 
regard  earth's  heaviest  burdens,  as  light  afflictions, 
which  are  but  momentary,  in  comparison  with  the  flight 
of  centuries,  or  the  sweep  of  ages.  They  know  that 
they  are  only  passing  through  a  night,  of  weeping  and 
wailing,  to  greet  a  morning,  freighted  with  joy  and 
gladness.  They  have  faith  to  believe,  that  the  heavi- 
est of  their  heart-burdens  will  melt  away,  by  and  by, 
into  an  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

Aged  people  are,  both,  timid  and  cautious.  They 
hesitate  to  venture,  now,  where  they  once  delighted  to 
go.  They  walk  with  trembling  limbs  and  tottering 
forms,  though  assisted  by  others,  where  once  they  trod 
fearlessly  and  alone.  But,  the  old  man's  faith  acts  so 
powerfully  upon  his  person,  at  times,  that  it  sends  a 
vigorous  thrill,  through  every  fiber  of  his  aged  body,  as 
well  as  a  heavenly  glow,  over  every  feature  of  his  fur- 
rowed face.  And,  he  feels,  again  and  again,  burning 
within  the  bones  of  his  feeble  body,  the  fancied  fires 
of  his  once  vigorous,  stalwart  form ;  but  only  to  be  re- 
minded, from  time  to  time,  in  his  efforts  to  repeat  the 
easy  tasks  of  former  days,  that  he  is  an  old  man,  grad- 
ually growing  feebler,  and  more  infirm,  in  body  ;  though 
perchance  stronger,  and  more  vigorous  in  spirit. 

These  old  people  ought  to  be  the  objects  of  our 
special  care — the  recipients  of  our  constant  favors.  We 
should  greet  them,  daily,  with  words  of  thoughtful  affec- 
tion. We  should  meet  them,  often,  in  acts  of  filial  de- 
votion. For,  as  long  as  they  live,  so  long  will  they  have 
claims  upon  our  hands,  for  help  ;  and  upon  our  hearts, 
for   sympathy  and    love.      It    should    be    our    pleasure, 


244  GRANDLY    GREAT. 

to  promote  their  happiness ;  smooth  down  the  rough 
places,  in  the  pathways  of  their  painful  pilgrimages, 
during  their  declining  years ;  and  soften,  if  possible,  the 
silken  pillows  of  their  dying  couches,  while  they  linger, 
a  little  longer,  on  the  shores  of  time,  to  receive  the  last 
testimonials  of  our  filial  affections,  and  undying  grati- 
tude. 

Here  sits  grand-father,  in  his  old,  armed  rocker,  with 
dressing-gown  and  slippers  on.  He  is  a  grand  old  man. 
He  is  great;  and  as  good,  as  he  is  great.  He  is  the 
patriarch  of  a  large  family ;  loved  and  honored,  by  chil- 
dren, and  by  children's  children,  even  down  to  the  third, 
and  fourth  generations.  But,  best  of  all  he  is  loved,  and 
honored  of  God.  He  has  long  been  a  friend  to  God. 
He  is  a  child  of  glory — an  heir  of  heaven. 

The  good  old  man's  life  has  been  grandly  great,  be- 
cause it  has  been  spent,  in  the  service  of  his  God.  He 
has  passed,  under  the  rod.  He  has  walked,  the  ways 
of  sorrow.  But,  in  the  midst  of  shadows,  he  found  sun- 
shine. In  the  depth  of  grief,  he  experienced  everlast- 
ing consolation.  The  waves  have  rolled  high,  around 
him ;  but,  the  voice  of  the  Lord  was,  often,  heard,  upon 
the  troubled  waters.  His  bow  of  promises  has,  ever, 
rested,  upon  the  over-arching  clouds,  radiant  with  future 
hope  ;  and  reaching  across  the  valley  of  sin  and  sorrow; 
into  the  land  of  light  and  life.  He  has  been,  abun- 
dantly, blessed  of  the  Lord.  He  has  been  made  to 
prosper,  and  bring  forth,  as  the  vine  in  its  fresh,  and 
fragrant  fruitfulness.  All  the  precious  promises,  to  the 
aged  in  Christ,  have  been  verified  to  him.  God  has 
given  him  long  life  ;  and  made  him  fruitful,  even,  in  old 
age. 


GRANDFATHER. 
<See  page  244.) 


THE    GOLDEN    GLEANINGS.  245 

These  grand  old  men  are  the  lamps  of  life,  which 
God  has  placed  all  along  the  track  of  time,  to  illumine 
our  pathways.  Their  experience,  and  counsels  give 
light,  to  the  passing  generations.  These  venerable  old 
fathers  love  to  impart  their  knowledge,  to  others — they 
love  to  let  their  light  shine,  upon  those  around  them. 
The  oracles  of  the  aged  are  spoken,  in  the  lore  of  love 
and  life.  There  is  an  artless  oratory,  and  an  enthusi- 
astic eloquence  on  the  tongue  of  the  aged  man,  when 
he  talks  of  the  good  old  times  of  yore,  or  the  happy 
days  to  come. 

Old  age  ought  to  consist  in  the  golden  gleanings,  of 
a  well-spent  life.  The  last  sheaf  harvested,  for  heaven's 
granary,  should  be  the  richest  and  the  best.  The  last 
day  spent,  upon  earth,  ought  to  be  the  brightest,  and 
happiest  of  all.  The  parting  benedictions,  of  the  aged, 
ought  to  be  fullest  of  hope,  and  of  heaven.  For,  while 
death,  to  all  such,  ends  life  here  ;  it  is  but  the  doorway, 
to  an  endless  life,  beyond  the  pale  portals  of  the  tomb. 
For,  the  peal,  of  the  golden  trumpet,  of  the  mighty 
archangel,  as  clear,  and  musical  as  the  voice  of  God, 
will  be  heard  over  land  and  sea,  on  the  morning  of  the 
great  resurrection,  by  all  the  myriads  of  earth's  sleeping 
dead  ;  and,  then,  these  aged  ones  shall  live  again. 

The  good  old  man  has  his  trials  and  troubles — his  ups 

and   his   downs.     He   is   not,  always,  on   the   mountain 

top  ;  but,  often,  in  the  valley  low.     He  can  not,  always, 

travel  on  the  through  express  ;  but  is  forced,  sometimes, 

to  take  the  local  freight.     The  trials  of  life  beset  us  all, 

old  and  young.     Saint,  and  sinner  must  move  forward, 

through  great  tribulations.      For,  the  righteous  are  often 

side-tracked  ;  while  the  wicked  are  led  more  hopelessly 
20 


246  THE  BURDEN  OF  YEARS. 

astray,  at  every  turn,  and  crook  along  life's  uneven  way. 
Sin  is  the  opiate  that  lulls  us  all  to  sleep  ;  and  leaves 
us  lying,  listless  and  languid,  in  the  lap  of  death.  We 
want  to  wake  up  and  go  to  work,  if  we  would  gain  the 
victory,  over  this  inveterate  foe. 

Age  bears,  on  its  bosom,  the  burden  of  years.  Its 
current  runs  deeper,  but  still  more  rapidly,  toward  the 
ocean  of  eternity.  The  flow  of  life  is  calmer,  and  more 
majestic,  as  it  nears  the  sorrowless  shores,  of  the  land 
of  light  and  life.  Age  deepens  affection.  It  purifies, 
and  strengthens  love.  It  confirms  faith,  and  brightens 
hope.  But,  old  age,  with  all  its  wonted  calmness  and 
serenity,  is  ladened,  with  an  extra  weight  of  sadness 
and  sorrow,  during  the  decline  of  life.  Especially  is 
this  true  of  those,  who  are  not  allowed  to  lean,  lovingly, 
upon  the  arms  of  their  children  and  grand-children,  for 
comfort  and  support.  Old  people,  naturally,  look  back, 
upon  life,  as  a  tale  that  is  told  ;  and,  often,  long  to  leave 
the  sorrowful  shores  of  time,  to  sail  the  unseen  ocean  of 
eternity.  Oh  !  for  immortal,  unfading  youth  !  cries  the 
aged,  way-worn  veteran  of  the  cross. 

This  good  old  man,  when  he  contrasts  his  earthly 
griefs,  with  his  heavenly  glory,  can  truthfully  sing  : 

I  love  life's  weight  of  tears  ; 

It  draws  me  near  to  God ; 
Cheers  up  my  soul,  removes  my  fears, 

And  bids  me  trust  his  word. 

I  love  the  chastening  rod  ; 

And  know,  full  well,  its  power, 
To  bring  the  wayward  child  to  God, 

In  filial  love,  each  hour. 


LIFE'S    WEIGHT    OF    TEARS.  247 

I  love  the  glory,  too, 

My  light  afflictions  bring ; 
It  fills  my  heart  with  gratitude ; 

And  bids  my  spirit  sing. 

I  love  to  think  of  rest, 

Beyond  this  world  of  woe — 
A  home  at  last  among  the  blest, 

Where  joys  forever  flow. 

The  good  old  man  prays  ;  and  the  heavens  bend  with 
blessings.  Grand-father  bends  his  knees,  and  bows  his 
hoary  head,  in  fervent  and  effectual  prayer,  and  finite 
weakness  prevails  over  infinite  power.  But,  prayer  is 
designed  to  open  the  heart  of  man,  rather  than  the 
hand  of  God.  The  Almighty  is,  always,  ready  to  be- 
stow blessings,  when  man  is  willing  to  receive  them,  in 
the  Lord's  way.  He  ever  stands,  with  open  hands  and 
out-stretched  arms,  anxic  as  to  save,  from  sin  and  death, 
the  loved  and  lost  of  c  th.  But,  doubts,  and  difficul- 
ties, ever,  environ  the  pr  tent  soul ;  yet,  the  prayer  of 
faith  unlocks  the  iron  dc  s,  of  darkness  and  death,  and 
floods  its  inner  chamber,  with  the  light  of  endless  life. 
Every  life  has  its  season  of  sadness  and  sorrow.  Then, 
it  is,  especially,  opportune, -that  we  unbosom  our  hearts, 
to  God,  in  prayer.  It  is  perfectly  natural,  that  we  should 
look  heavenward,  at  such  times,  for  divine  aid  ;  and  he 
is  unnatural — a  monster — who  refuses  to  recognize  a 
higher  power,  when  he  feels  forced  to  confess  his  own 
helplessness.  It  would  be  infinitely  better  for  us,  if  we 
would  only  go  to  God,  oftener,  in  earnest,  supplicating 
prayer. 

Jesus  is  the  old  man's  best,  and  dearest  friend.     He 


248  LICxHT    AND    LIBERTY. 

is  the  sum,  and  substance  of  all  his  hopes.  He  is  his 
light,  his  life,  his  love,  his  all  in  all.  He  gives  him  free 
access,  daily,  to  a  throne  of  divine  grace.  This  makes 
his  grateful  heart  beat,  constantly,  in  unison,  with  the 
great  heart  of  infinite  love.  And  hence,  the  old  man 
walks,  by  faith,  in  sweet  anticipation,  of  dying  grace  and 
reigning  glory,  when  he  completes  the  journey  reaching, 
from  the  cradle,  on  earth,  to  the  throne,  in  heaven. 
His  faith  in  God  is  implicit ;  his  obedience  most  cheer- 
ful, and  his  love  supreme.  God  is  in  all  his  thoughts ; 
and  heaven  in  all  his  hopes.  Like  the  Puritan,  and  pil- 
grim fathers,  he  has,  always,  been  a  lover  of  light  and 
liberty.  And,  he  hopes,  when  he  gets  to  heaven,  to  be 
welcomed,  by  a  King  of  Light,  to  a  kingdom,  of  end- 
less liberty  and  love. 

The  frail  barks,  of  these  ,  ed  veterans,  are  now  be- 
ing tossed  to  and  fro,  by  th<  pests  of  time,  which 
touch,  and  lash  the  imn;  :es  of  eternity.  But, 
soon  the  last  storm  will  swee  then,  the  last  shock 
will  be  felt,  and  the  firsi  /ictory  will  roll  over 
the  ramparts  of  heaven,  as  t  stand,  beyond  the  reach 
of  earthly  woes,  safe  at  1st,  and  at  home  for 
evermore. 

Our  aged  Veteran,  of  the  ..  has  passed,  success- 

fully, through  all  the  phases  of  human  life,  from  the 
cradle  to  the  grave.  He  was  born  into  baby-hood, 
crawled  into  childhood,  bounded  into  boyhood,  leaped 
into  manhood,  passed  into  father-hood  and  ripened  into 
grand-father-hood.  He  is,  after  all,  but  the  early  bud 
of  infancy  matured,  and  mellowed  into  the  precious 
fruitage  of  a  golden,  autumnal  harvest.  But,  through 
all  these  phases  of  life,  he  has  so  lived,  that  the  evening 


OLD    AGE    HONORABLE.  249 

of  his  earthly  existence  finds  the  silver  clouds  of  love, 
resting  sweetly,  upon  the  golden  mountains  of  light, 
which  loom  up,  around  him ;  and  send  their  radiance, 
streaming  down  through  the  gathering  mists  of  age,  to 
illumine  his  pathway,  through  the  valley  of  death's 
shadow  ;  and  give  him  a  joyous,  and  triumphant  en- 
trance, into  the  peaceful  Paradise  of  God. 

These  good  old  men,  around  us,  are  golden  sheaves, 
ready  for  heaven's  granary.  They  are  ripe,  for  the  an- 
gelic harvest.  But,  they  are,  still,  good  spiritual  guides. 
They  are  the  world's  balance  wheels.  They  hold,  in 
check,  the  fiery  ambition  of  the  young,  and  thoughtless 
of  earth.  They  are  constantly  leading  us,  toward  the 
better  land.  They  are  veteran  soldiers,  who  have, 
many  times,  led  the  Lord's  hosts,  to  battle  and  to  vic- 
tory. And,  they  are,  still,  waving  the  banner  of  the 
cross,  triumphantly,  as  they  near  the  gates  of  glory  ; 
where  they  will  exchange  the  soldier's  cross,  for  the 
victor's  crown. 

Old  age  is  honorable ;  and  the  grave  is  not  its  goal. 
Let  the  young  respect,  and  reverence  the  aged,  at  all 
times.  It  will  mellow  their  hard  hearts,  while  it  honors 
these  hoary  heads.  Reverence,  for  our  seniors,  carries, 
with  it,  a  double  blessing.  It  blesses  those  who  give 
it ;  and,  those  to  whom  it  is  given.  With  these  aged 
fathers,  there  is  wisdom  ;  and,  we  would  do  well  to  sit 
much  at  their  feet ;  and  learn  the  lessons  of  life,  that 
they  are  prepared  to  impart.  It  is  very  profitable, 
as  well  as  pleasant,  to  go  back,  with  them,  through 
half  a  century  or  more ;  and  hear  of  the  ways,  and 
wonders  of  olden  times  ;  that  we  may  contrast  wisely 
the  present,  with  the  past. 


250  THE    AGED    SINNER. 

Grand-father  has  passed  through  the  autumn  of  life; 
and  the  nipping  frosts,  of  winter,  have  long  been  upon 
his  aged  brow.  But,  he  shall  lose,  one  day,  his  four 
score  years  and  ten,  in  the  endless  summer,  of  im- 
mortal youth.  He  will  soon  pass  through  the  dark 
portals  of  death  ;  but  the  passage  will  lead  him  out,  into 
the  land  of  endless  life.  He  has  long  since  learned, 
that  the  chastening  rod  is  held,  in  the  hands  of  love. 
He  believes,  that  death  will  lose  its  sting ;  for  it  has, 
already,  lost  its  terrors.  He  knows  that  the  grave  will 
be  spoiled  of  its  victory  ;  for  his  Redeemer  rose  from 
the  dead. 

But,  sad  to  say,  many  old  men  have  misspent  the 
morning  of  life's  long  day;  and  are  left  to  brood,  in 
doubt  and  darkness,  over  the  train  of  desolation  and 
death,  which  haunts  their  old  age.  The  aged  sinner 
has  been  a  pensioner,  for  long  years,  upon  the  goodness, 
and  mercy  of  the  Lord.  The  Lord  has  over-arched  his 
pathway,  through  life,  with  the  gifts  of  his  love.  He 
has  fed  him,  with  a  liberal  hand,  upon  the  blessings  of 
Providence.  He  has  offered  to  feast  him,  just  as  lib- 
erally, upon  the  riches  of  his  grace.  But,  the  aged 
pensioner  has  opened  his  heart,  to  receive  but  little  of 
the  light,  these  blessings  were  designed  to  impart.  And, 
he  has  scarcely  manifested  a  single  emotion,  of  sincere 
gratitude,  to  the  Giver  of  all  his  good.  Living  language 
reveals  the  inner-life,  of  such  a  man.  In  his  life-actions, 
he,  naturally,  gives  expression,  to  the  emotions  of  the 
heart.  No,  the  world  is  not  growing  worse  ;  yet,  we 
have  not  reached  the  millennium,  by  a  good  deal,  we 
imagine. 

The  wise  old  man  says,  the  world  is  gradually  grow- 


THE    WISE    OLD    MAN.  25 1 

ing  better,  as  the  centuries  roll  by,  on  their  fiery  wheels 
of  progress  and  reform.  Millions  of  hands,  heads  and 
hearts  have  contributed  their  mites,  to  make  civilization 
the  glory  of  the  centuries.  It  is  a  long,  long  stride, 
from  heathendom  to  Christendom.  But,  every  faithful 
life  is  a  factor,  for  good,  in  society.  The  most  obscure 
personage  exerts  a  potent  influence,  for  weal  or  woe, 
over  some  immortal  soul.  Every  consecrated  life  is  an 
essential  element,  in  moving  the  world  onward,  in  its 
growth  of  grace,  toward  its  reign  of  glory. 

This  wise  old  man  has  not  lived,  exclusively,  in  the 
past:  but  has  made  it  a  stairway,  by  which  to  climb,  to 
the  grand  possibilities  of  the  future.  Neither  has  he  ig- 
nored the  present ;  but,  has  gone  out,  into  the  markets, 
and  bought  up  opportunities  to  do  good;  thus  redeem- 
ing the  time.  Nor,  has  he  been  unmindful  of  the  future  ; 
but  has,  constantly,  thrust  himself  out  upon  its  heaving 
bosom ;  or  rather  reached  out,  and  drawn  it  to  himself, 
and  used  it,  as  a  pillow,  to  bolster  himself  up  with,  in 
the  sore  conflicts  of  life.  The  failures,  of  the  past, 
would  long  since  have  disheartened  him  ;  and  the  bur- 
dens, of  the  present,  would  often  have  overwhelmed 
him,  but  for  the  glorious  hopes,  of  the  future,  which 
have  given  buoyancy,  and  strength  to  his  whole  life. 

Grand-father's  mind  is  still  active;  and  his  memory 
clear  and  strong.  Memory  is  mind  in  motion.  It  is  a 
mental  manifestation,  of  mind  upon  matter,  or  mind 
upon  mind.  It  is  the  mind  moving,  once  more,  upon 
the  treasured  images  of  the  past.  It  is  the  resurrec- 
tion, or  recalling  of  scenes,  and  circumstances  long  since 
buried,  from  our  natural  vision.  It  must  be  very  pleas- 
ant,   indeed,    when    the    vigorous    day,    of  manhood's 


252  THE    NINE    MUSES. 

might,  is  merging  into  the  nightfall,  of  old  age,  and  life  . 
is  gradually  drawing  to  a  close,  to  look  back,  occasion- 
ally, along  down  the  vistas  of  time,  and  view,  once 
more,  the  sacred  scenes  of  the  years,  of  ones  youthful 
days.  Old  people  never  forget,  the  years  of  their  youth. 
Intervening  events  may  fail  them  ;  and  fade  from  their 
over-burdened  memories ;  but  the  happy  scenes,  of 
childhood-life,  will  leave  them  never.  None  can  sever 
bonds,  which  bind  age,  to  the  happy  hours  of  childhood's 
cloudless  past.  The  old  man's  richest  heritage  is  in  the 
sacred  memories  of  other  days,  or  the  brighter  hopes  of 
coming  years.  He  lives,  but  little,  in  the  present.  He 
either  lingers,  longingly,  in  the  lap  of  the  receding  past, 
or  leaps,  lovingly,  toward  the  bosom  of  the  advancing 
future. 

The  nine  muses  are,  all,  the  offsprings  of  memory  ; 
and  for  her,  they  sing  their  sweetest  songs,  and  make 
their  most  delightful  music.  The  fond  recollections,  of 
the  aged,  are  the  greenest  oases,  upon  memory's  barren 
desert.  Their  sweet  reminiscences  bring  the  loveliest 
strains,  and  richest  melodies  from  memory's  golden  harp. 
And,  as  they  turn  from  the  bright  pages,  of  the  past, 
to  the  brighter  pictures  of  the  future,  hope  touches  the 
heart,  and  it  vibrates,  again,  with  joy;  love  kindles  the 
soul,  and  it  burns,  once  more,  with  the  fires  of  youth. 
Grand-father  lives  much,  in  memory.  The  richest  rem- 
iniscences, of  his  past  life,  light  up  the  closing  hours,  of 
his  earthly  existence,  with  the  sunlit  glories  of  an  end- 
less day. 

The  old  man's  hope  is  the  heavenly  anchor,  of  his 
trusting  heart.  He  lies,  securely,  in  the  harbor  of 
heaven,  with  this  anchor  cast  into  that  within  the  vail. 


LOVE    A    RELIGIOUS    PRINCIPLE.  253 

His  sails  have  all  been  lowered ;  and  he  is  now  riding, 
at  anchor,  in  the  port  of  peace,  after  a  long,  but  suc- 
cessful voyage  across  the  stormy  sea  of  life. 

The  old  man's  faith  is  an  abiding  substance — a  real 
entity,  to  him.  It  is  his  only  evidence,  of  the  unseen, 
and  eternal  reward,  which  God  has  promised  him,  in  the 
glory  world.  It  is  the  sure  foundation,  upon  which  he 
has  built  his  Christian  character — the  rock,  upon  which 
his  feet  are  firmly  planted — the  pillow,  upon  which  his 
hoary  head  is  quietly  resting — the  shield,  and  fortress 
of  his  trusting  soul.  Saving  faith  is  a  certainty — the 
substance  of  things  hoped  for,  or  it  is  nothing.  It  is  the 
most  implicit  trust,  and  confidence  in  God's  promises,  or 
it  is  worthless.  Evangelical  faith  is  not,  merely,  the 
assent  of  the  mind.  It  is,  also,  the  acknowledgment 
of  the  heart. 

The  old  man's  love  is  a  religious  principle.  It  has 
been  a  most  active  agent.  This  principle  has,  often, 
moved  his  great  heart ;  and  nerved  his  strong  arm,  for 
good  works.  It  has  been  a  permanent,  and  potent 
agent,  for  good,  during  his  long  life,  of  devotion  to 
Christian  duty.  This  love  still  lives.  It  loosens  his 
stammering  tongue,  and  fires  his  burning  zeal  for  God 
and  his  service. 

The  cross  of  Christ  is  the  old  man's  hope  of  heaven. 
He  gazed  upon  it,  in  the  golden  dawn  of  boyhood's 
merry  morning.  He  hung  his  hopes  of  happiness 
upon  it,  at  the  noontide  of  manhood's  riper  years. 
And,  now,  while  the  sun  of  life  is  nearing  the  horizon 
of  the  west,  the  consecrated  cross,  still,  looms  up,  be- 
fore his  visions  of  faith,  as  the  sum,  and  substance  of 
his  heart's  fondest  hopes,  for  time  and  eternity.     He  is 


254  THE    BORDER-LANDS    OF    TIME. 

ever  clinging,  closely,  to  the  crimson  cross  of  Christ. 
There  is  a  glory,  hanging  round  the  consecrated  cross, 
before  which  the  world  must  bow,  in  reverence  and  de- 
votion, at  last. 

Happy,  indeed,  is  the  old  man,  whose  intercourse,  with 
the  world,  has  not  snapped  the  musical  chords  of  his 
heart,  the  melodious  vibrations  of  which  are  still  tenderly 
touching  other  hearts,  even,  in  the  evening  of  old  age. 
To  all  these  aged  ones,  the  hope  of  heaven  grows 
brighter,  and  still  brighter,  as  the  scenes  of  earth  pale, 
and  pass  from  their  view,  with  the  flight  of  flying  years. 
They,  now,  have  many  visions,  of  the  better  land  ;  many 
dreams,  of  the  Holy  City  ;  many  echoings  of  the  heav- 
enly harps,  in  their  happy  hearts,  and  many  bright  an- 
ticipations, of  the  heavenly  homes,  which  await  them,  in 
the  glory  world.  These  heavenly  hopes  lift  up  the 
hearts,  of  humanity's  veterans  ;  and  light  up  their  path- 
ways, as  they  journey  along  the  border-lands  of  time, 
toward  their  eternal  homes  in  heaven. 

Grand-father's  religion  is  the  stay,  and  staff  of  his 
declining  years.  It  was  his  hope,  in  youth,  his  strength, 
in  manhood,  and  it  is  his  support,  in  old  age.  His  re- 
ligion is,  and  ever  has  been,  the  ruling  power  of  his 
life.  He  now  lives,  under  the  very  shadow  of  the  cross  : 
and  hence,  in  the  very  sunlight  of  a  Saviour's  love. 
He,  constantly,  basks,  in  the  beams  of  Malachi's  Sun  of 
Righteousness  ;  and  hence,  enjoys  a  cloudless,  Christian 
experience.  His  religion  makes  his  hoary  hairs  hang, 
like  a  halo  of  light,  around  his  saintly  brow,  so  deeply 
furrowed,  by  the  ruthless  hand  of  time.  And,  as  age 
increases,  the  circles,  of  his  Christian  influence,  will  con- 
tinue to  widen  and  deepen,  with  the  hush  of  time,  and 


THE    STAY    AND    STAFF.  255 

the  hum  of  eternity  ;  until  the  earth,  finally,  yields  up 
her  priceless  treasure,  and  heaven  claims  her  matchless 
trophy. 

Grand-father's  religion  is  a  great  solace  to  him,  in  his 
afflictions.  It  turns  all  his  desert  places  into  Bethels  ; 
and,  ofttimes,  changes  his  darkness  into  light.  The 
special  events,  in  his  religious  life,  are  occasions  of  in- 
terest, and  joy  to  the  hosts  of  heaven.  The  trend  of 
humanity  is  either  heaven,  or  hellward.  Holiness,  on 
earth,  is,  absolutely,  essential  to  happiness,  in  heaven. 

Religion  is  a  source  of  solace — a  palace  of  peace — 
the  comfort,  and  consolation  of  old  age.  The  religion, 
of  the  aged,  is  the  sheet-anchor  of  their  hopes,  during 
the  darkest  nights,  of  their  earthly  pilgrimage.  It  is,  to 
them,  the  opening  of  the  golden  gates,  of  the  heavenly 
Paradise,  in  the  not  far  distant  future.  It  is,  to  them, 
the  unveiling  of  heaven's  glories,  to  their  enraptured 
visioins,  in  the  sweet  by  and  by.  To  all  these  grand 
old  Christian  heroes,  heaven  will  be  a  welcome  home, 
when  the  last  battle  has  been  fought,  and  the  final 
victory  won.  Yes,  these  aged  saints  will  all  be  su- 
premely happy,  in  the  heaven  of  heavens. 

Grand-father  holds,  in  fee  simple,  a  legacy,  lasting  as 
eternity — an  estate,  he  can  not  lose,  nor  leave  behind 
him,  even,  at  death.  It  is  a  treasure,  which  will  prove 
an  everlasting  consolation,  to  the  old  veteran  of  the 
cross.  For,  as  the  ivy  clings  to  the  oak,  so  will  this 
legacy,  of  love,  twine  about  his  immortal  spirit  for  ever- 
more. Even  so,  every  lengthened  life  ought  to  be 
radiant  with  the  light,  and  glorious  with  the  sunshine 
of  the  Saviour's,  boundless,  love.  But,  Oh  !  how  lonely 
life  must  be  ;  and  how  dark  death's  door,  to  the  aged, 


256  WE    ALL    GROW    OLD. 

who  are  left  without  the  reminiscences,  or  rewards  of 
religion,  as  they  stand,  hopelessly,  upon  the  brink  of 
eternal  woe. 

The  years  of  life  are,  always,  rolling  on  :  and  we  are 
powerless,  to  stay  their  revolutions.  We  can  not  keep 
back  the  gray  hairs,  which  come  with  the  flight  of  time : 
neither  can  we  smooth  the  wrinkled  brows,  furrowed  by 
the  weight  of  years.  The  scientist  has  sought,  in  vain, 
for  the  elixir  of  life.  It  can  not  be  found  on  earth. 
Here,  the  young  must  grow  old  ;  and  the  aged  grow 
older,  and  die.  For,  if  the  years  of  our  lives  be  many, 
still  they  pass  away,  as  a  tale  that  is  told.  We  soon 
grow  old ;  our  days  are  numbered,  ere  long,  and  we  fly 
away.  But,  the  older  we  grow — the  longer  we  live,  the 
greater  ought  to  be  our  labors  of  love  ;  and  the  sweeter 
ought  to  be  the  joys  of  our  work,  and  worship  in  the 
Master's  service.  And,  the  nearer  we  approach  the 
grave,  the  deeper,  and  dearer  ought  to  be  the  consola- 
tions of  our  holy  religion,  in  all  the  hours  of  earth's  sad 
bereavements. 

We  love  to  look  upon  the  grand  old  man,  whose 
lease,  on  life,  has  been  lengthened  out,  to  four  score 
years,  or  more,  in  fulfillment  of  that  precious  promise: 
With  long  life,  will  I  satisfy  him  ;  and  show  him  my 
salvation.  Such  an  old  man  breathes  the  bracing  air  of 
heaven,  in  its  strength  and  purity.  He  lives,  constantly, 
in  an  atmosphere  of  love  and  devotion.  And,  he  is, 
always,  ready,  with  words  of  wisdom,  for  the  wayward, 
and  wicked  of  earth.  Holy  old  man  !  and  happy,  be- 
cause holy,  the  last  cloud,  of  a  long  life,  has  drifted 
away ;  and  his  evening  sun  shines,  calmly  and  serenely, 


GRANDFATHER'S  VOYAGE  IS  ALMOST   ENDED, 

/See  page  257.) 


THE    HAZY    HORIZON    OF    TIME.  257 

as  it  lingers,  a  while  longer,  upon  the  verge,  before 
sinking,  behind  the  hazy  horizon  of  time. 

Grand-father  knows,  he  must  soon  step  off  of  the 
stage  of  earthly  action  ;  but  he  hopes  to  enter,  even,  a 
more  active  life,  in  the  great  beyond.  The  rest,  for 
which  he  sighs,  is  full  of  energy,  and  ceaseless  activi- 
ties :  but  free  from  the  vexations,  and  vanities,  incident 
to  earth-life.  He  expects  the  toils,  and  turmoils  of  time, 
to  give  way,  soon,  to  the  refreshing,  and  exhilerating 
labors  of  eternity's  tireless  tasks.  He  knows,  he  is 
journeying  toward,  and  getting  very  near,  a  country, 
where  there  will  be  eyes  for  the  blind  ;  ears  for  the 
deaf ;  voices  for  the  dumb  ;  feet  for  the  maimed,  and  life 
for  the  dead. 

It  is  during  the  last  days,  of  the  aged  Christian,  that 
the  church  hopes,  to  find  his  life  hanging  loaded  down, 
with  the  ripe,  rich  clusters  of  love,  made  perfect  through 
sufferings  endured,  for  the  Saviour's  sake.  Such  love 
has  become  as  gold,  seven  times  refined ;  or  as  the 
blushing  fruitage,  reddened,  and  ripened,  by  the  rays  of 
the  hottest  tropical  sun,  that  ever  shone  upon  man  ;  and 
thus  made  meet  for  the  Master's  use.  Hence  it  will 
soon  be  plucked,  by  the  Divine  Hand  ;  and  gathered, 
into  the  heavenly  garner. 

Grand-father's  voyage  is  almost  ended.  His  race  is 
nearly  run.  The  burdens,  of  age,  are  growing  heavier. 
The  wheels,  of  time,  are  running  rapidly.  The  fires,  of 
life,  are  burning  low.  -  He  looks  back,  over  his  troubled 
past.  He  recounts  the  storms,  encountered.  He  recalls 
the  perils,  of  the  deep,  with  their  wonderful  deliverances. 
He  looks,  to  the  future,  with  its  promises,  of  endless 
life  and  love.     The  Port,  of  Peace,  is  full  in  view.     And 


258  DYING    GRACE. 

while  he  knows  his  hoary  head  will,  soon,  be  pillowed, 
in  the  dust  of  death,  he  is  just  as  confident,  that  his  soul 
will,  soon,  be  safely  anchored,  in  the  haven  of  eternal 
rest.  For,  after  all,  the  winter,  of  a  well-spent  life,  is, 
of  all  its  seasons,  the  sweetest  and  the  best.  It  is  the 
season  calmest,  in  enjoyment,  richest,  in  recollections, 
and  happiest,  in  its  hopes  of  heaven. 

But,  grand-father  is  sick.  His  hoary  head  is  pillowed, 
for  death.  The  ears  grow  heavy,  and  the  heart  beats 
slowly.  The  muffled  sounds,  of  death's  foot-falls,  are 
heard  in  the  hall.  He  is  dying  :  but  faith  is  confirmed, 
and  fear  is  banished.  He  has  plenty  of  dying  grace. 
The  light,  of  endless  life,  shines  into  his  soul ;  and 
doubt,  and  darkness  disappear  forever.  He  realizes, 
that  God's  love  is  round  about  him,  as  the  air  he 
breathes ;  and  his  mercy  above  him,  as  the  over-arching 
heavens.  He  feels,  that  it  is  sweet  to  die,  with  the 
everlasting  arms  of  love  beneath  him :  and  hence,  swan- 
like in  death,  he  sings  the  sentiments  of  his  sanctified 
soul: 

I'm  dying,  friends  ;  I'll  soon  be  dead  : 
But,  peace  attends,  my  hoary  head  ; 
For,  death  has  lost,  his  venomed  sting, 
Like  th'  grave  once  lost,  its  Conq'ring  King. 

My  life  is  o'er,  my  race  is  run  ; 
I'll  greet  no  more,  the  rising  sun : 
My  time  is  past,  my  days  are  gone  ; 
And,  now,  I  cast,  life's  burdens  down. 

With  tearless  eyes,  and  joyful  heart, 
I  say  good-bye  ;   for  we  must  part ; 


DEATH    SONG.  259 

But,  then,  we'll  meet  again,  I  say, 
With  joy  to  greet,  on  some  sweet  day. 

My  heart  is  free,  my  spirit  sings ; 
Glory  to  thee,  thou  King  of  kings ; 
I  come  to  rest,  on  that  bright  shore, 
Where  those  you've  blest,  will  part  no  more. 

I  look,  and  lo !  the  angels  come ; 
Sweet  seraphs,  now,  are  in  my  room  : 
They'll  take  me  home,  to  that  bright  land, 
Where  I  shall  roam,  with  sinless  bands. 

I  long  to  be,  on  that  fair  shore, 
Where  sin  I'll  see,  nor  death  no  more ; 
But  in  those  realms,  of  life  above, 
With  Jesus  reign,  in  endless  love. 

So  fare  you  well,  till  next  we  meet, 
Where  we  shall  dwell,  on  gold-paved  streets : 
And,  wearing  crowns,  like  our  loved  ones, 
Vie,  long,  around  the  great  white  throne. 

Grand-father's  days  are  numbered,  at  last.  He  is 
dead.  "  He  died,  in  a  good  old  age,  full  of  days,  riches 
and  honor."  He  has  passed  out,  from  the  land,  of 
cradles  and  tombs,  to  the  country,  of  crowns  and 
thrones,  where  all  are  kings,  and  queens  unto  God. 

Death  is  a  demon  of  darkness.  He  sends  a  wail  of 
woe,  that  is  world-wide  and  heart-rending,  through  all 
the  earth  :  and  the  living  are  left,  to  mourn  for  their  de- 
parted dead.  We  were  all  born  to  die.  Death  is  the 
destiny  of  our  race.  The  grave  will,  one  day,  be  the 
bed-chamber,  of  the  rich  and  poor,  of  all  the  earth. 
21 


260 


HEAVEN  S    ETERNAL    THRONE. 


Our  loved  ones  die  ;  and  leave  us  in  bitterest  lamen- 
tations. They  do  not  wish  us,  to  weep  for  them,  how- 
ever. Their  sweet  voices,  often,  bid  us,  in  death,  to  dry 
our  tears.  But,  bereavement  softens  our  hearts,  and 
subdues  our  spirits.  We  lose  our  loved  ones ;  and 
heaven  gains  them ;  but,  still,  we  love  them.  They  are, 
ever,  ours.  The  ties,  which  unite  us,  could  not  be 
broken  by  death.  But,  possibly,  they  have  been  strength- 
ened, by  the  hopes,  which  have  sprung  up  in  our  hearts, 
of  a  happy  reunion,  by  and  by.  But,  while  we  weep, 
they  rejoice.  While  we  mourn,  they  are,  greatly,  com- 
forted. We  hang  our  harps,  on  the  weeping  willows, 
and  refuse,  for  a  time,  to  sing  the  soul-comforting  songs 
of  Zion  ;  but  they  strike  theirs,  in  lovelier,  loftier  and 
sweeter  strains,  as  they  vie,  with  the  blood-washed, 
white-robed  throng,  in  singing  the  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb,  around  heaven's  eternal  throne. 


M 


